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Why Thirdy Ravena relished his match-ups with FEU's Ron Dennison

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines -- Thirdy Ravena had his fair share of battles during his remarkable UAAP career with Ateneo de Manila University, but there were some match-ups that stick in his mind more than others.In a chat with PBA veteran Beau Belga on &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2iw1BzzNXY">Extra Rice</a>,&quot; Ravena recalled having tough encounters with former De La Salle University star Jeron Teng in his first and second seasons in the UAAP.He also had some fun duels with the University of the Philippines trifecta of Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, and Juan Gomez de Liano. But it was his match-ups with former Far Eastern University swingman Ron Dennison that were most memorable for Ravena.&quot;Si Ron Dennison, siya &#x27;yung favorite ko talaga,&quot; said Ravena of Dennison, who now plays for Blackwater Elite in the PBA.&quot;Kada game, tirahan, tapos may trash talk,&quot; he recalled. &quot;Tapos, talagang alam mo &#x27;yun, walang bibigay eh. Patigasan hanggang sa huli. Walang makakahinga. Buong laro, feeling mo back against the wall ka.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2020/04/28/fiba-freezes-3x3-world-rankings-munzon-still-top-pinoy-67871">READ: FIBA freezes 3x3 world rankings; Munzon remains top Pinoy player</a></li></ul>Dennison helped the Tamaraws reach the Final 4 in his last year with FEU, where they gave the top-seeded Blue Eagles a massive scare. His defense against Ravena in the semifinals allowed the Tamaraws to force a do-or-die game for a place in the championship series.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/20/17/dennison-hopes-for-another-uaap-finals-stint-before-leaving-feu">FROM SEASON 80: Dennison hopes for another UAAP finals stint before leaving FEU</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/23/17/in-final-uaap-season-dennison-puts-it-all-together-for-feu">READ MORE: In final UAAP season, Dennison puts it all together for FEU</a></li></ul>The Blue Eagles ultimately prevailed in the do-or-die game, with Ravena scoring 17 points, while Dennison was limited to four markers in his final UAAP game. Ateneo went on to win the first of three straight titles that season.It was clear that his battles with Dennison left a mark on Ravena, who won three Finals MVP awards in his UAAP career.&quot;Nacha-challenge ka. Pipikinun ka (niya),&quot; he said.Another match-up that Ravena enjoys? That against his older brother, Kiefer. They have never played against each other in an official game -- yet -- but have had several 1-on-1 duels while growing up.The younger Ravena hesitates to give a concrete answer when asked who was better. &quot;Mahirap i-compare, kasi magkaiba ang laro namin,&quot; said Thirdy, noting that his older brother played both guard positions while he is a forward.&quot;Kumbaga, may kanya-kanya kaming abilities na kumbaga, mas okay na mas magaling kesa sa isa sa amin,&quot; he explained. &quot;Like my brother, matalino siya maglaro, mas matalino siya maglaro sa akin, mas madiskarte siya.&quot;&quot;Pero sa akin nabigay &#x27;yung height at saka &#x27;yung athleticism so mas nagagamit ko &#x27;yun, mas may advantage ako on that side.&quot;But who prevails in their 1-on-1s? Growing up, it was mostly Kiefer who ended up winning, Thirdy admitted.&quot;Dati, noong magka-height kami, mas ano pa siya, kasi ginugulangan niya ako. Hanggang ngayon grabe manggulang &#x27;yun, simula bata pa lang kami,&quot; he said.&quot;Ngayon, sa tingin ko, siguro mga last two na 1-on-1 namin o mga last 3 na 1-on-1, ako na &#x27;yung nanalo kaya medyo kumpyansa na ako,&quot; he added.<div>(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).</div>

Thirdy Ravena had his fair share of battles during his remarkable UAAP career with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but there were some match-ups that stick in his mind more than others.

Thirdy Ravena had his fair share of battles during his remarkable UAAP career with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but there were some match-ups that stick in his mind more than others.

Why Thirdy Ravena relished his match-ups with FEU's Ron Dennison

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Why Thirdy Ravena relished his match-ups with FEU's Ron Dennison

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 29, 2020 03:12 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Thirdy Ravena

Ron Dennison

FEU Tamaraws

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