Thirdy Ravena named MVP after leading Team Extreme to win in NBTC All-Star Game

Team Extreme, bannered by UAAP Juniors MVP Thirdy Ravena and NCAA Juniors MVP Prince Rivero, overwhelmed Team Mako, 123-94, Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena, in the 2014 Seaoil NBTC League National High School All-Star Game.

Thirdy Ravena, who has committed to playing alongside his older brother Kiefer Ravena with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the UAAP, filled up the stats with 11 points, five boards, four assists, a steal and a block, for MVP honors.  

[Related: Blue chips banner Seaoil All-Star weekend]

Team Extreme started out strong, as Prince Rivero fed his teammates down low on the break. An Arvin Tolentino dish to Renzo Subido put Extreme ahead 15-12, as Arjan Dela Cruz quickly tied the game with a three. Subido and Jarell Lim exchanged baskets, but soon enough, Team Mako started to settle for outside shots. Meanwhile, Extreme found Adven Diputado, Alfren Gayosa and Isaac Go for baskets in the paint. Even with their starters sitting on the bench, Extreme ended the first with a 33-22 advantage.

Manuel Mosqueda and the rest of Team Extreme continued to dictate the pace to start the second, as baskets from Gayosa and Justin Serrano established a 43-24 lead. Team Mako's poor interior defense was slightly relieved by the playmaking of Hubert Cani. The NU Bullpup was effective in feeding Med Salim in the paint, while finding Lorenzo Battad to cut the lead to 13, 45-32. A late rally by Arnie Padilla and Allyn Bulandi kept Team Extreme ahead, though, 61-45, after two.

The start of the third period was a time for individual talents to shine, as Team Extreme's starters Richard Escoto, Renzo Subido, Prince Rivero, Arvin Tolentino and Thirdy Ravena bumped the lead up to 73-51. Team Mako head coach Jeff Napa then reinserted Cani, while Team Extreme head coach JB Sison subbed out his starters. Still, Team Mako couldn't find an answer to Team Extreme's open court onslaught, as baskets on the break from Diputado made it 87-67 after three.

Team Mako never recovered, as Team Extreme's second and third teams sustained the lead.

It was a balanced effort for Team Extreme. Aside from Ravena, Justin Serrano had 14 while Richard Escoto and Adven Diputado had 12 each. Diego Dario also strung points 18 points and three steals, mostly in the final period.

Med Salim led Team Mako with 16 points, while Lorenzo Battad added 11. Ranbill Tongco chipped in nine.

In the Division I championships, Chiang Kai Shek College defeated National University Team A, 88-80. JV Gallego led Chiang Kai Shek with 32 big points. In Division II play, Team Pampanga defeated Team San Benildo, 79-69. - AMD, GMA News