Ravena Thirdy Ravena: 23 points in the Philippines’ loss to New Zealand. FIBA photo

Ravena: Gilas learns lesson in FIBA World Cup

February 28, 2022 Theodore P. Jurado 427 views

IT was not the ideal of preparations, but Thirdy Ravena, one of the Philippines’ brightest spots in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, knows that his team gave everything in Sunday night’s 63-88 loss to New Zealand.

“It’s a learning lesson for all of us,” said Ravena, who had 23 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in the defeat.

“I’m very proud of how we fought given the very short amount of time that we were able to prepare for this window,” he added.

Gilas split its two games in the second window after winning over India, 88-64, last Friday.

The Tall Blacks eventually completed a three-game sweep in the second window by reasserting to mastery of the Indians, 95-60, yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, putting them in a prime position of winning Group A.

With South Korea’s disqualification, New Zealand, the Philippines and India have all secured spots in the second round.

Automatically qualified as hosts of the 2023 edition with Japan, the Philippines is using the Asian qualifiers to gain experience.

“Obviously, after every game, especially after a loss we always feel that we could’ve done a little bit better,” said national coach Chot Reyes.

“The preparation certainly is very crucial. Like today, we still have a lot of things that we have to work on. The players are not yet familiar with each other,” he added.

Reyes, who took over from Tab Baldwin in late January, handled for the first time Ravena, Dwight Ramos and naturalized center Ange Kouame for Gilas.

“I think we will get better as time goes by but as he (Ravena) said, there are certainly a lot of bright spots. There’s a lot of things to build on and we just have to be able to put in the work,” said Reyes.

The third window will be played on June 27 to July 5, with the Philippines meeting New Zealand and India anew to wrap up its first round campaign.

Against the Indians, Tom Vodanovich matched his 20-point output against Gilas, while Rob Loe, followed up his 15-point outing the other night by dropping 18 markers for the Tall Blacks.

New Zealand also rout India, 101-46, in last Thursday’s second window opener.

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