After displaying great athleticism on the court, Ilonggo Thirdy Ravena finally earned the fruit of his hard work.
The 23-year-old cager from Iloilo City was among the recipients of the Ateneo de Manila University’s GUIDON-Moro Lorenzo award. He was the first baller to be named as Sportsman of the Year after Bacolodnon center Siverino “Nonoy” Baclao received the recognition in 2010 with judoka JR Reyes.
Thirdy, the younger brother of Kiefer, was part of the national basketball team for 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. He also carried Atene Blue Eagles to various victories. He ended his collegiate career with an unblemished 16-0 sweep in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
He also became the first-ever three-time Finals Most Valuable Player awardee in the league’s basketball tilt.
Aside from Thirdy, other nominees for the Sportsman of the Year award were reigning two-time UAAP backstroke king Aki Cariño and UAAP Men’s Fencing Foil Individual event gold medalist Jaime Viceo.
Lady aquanaut Chloe Daos was named as Sportswoman of the Year. She was also named as this year’s Ambrosio Padilla Athlete of the Year. Daos dominated her run in the UAAP pool by winning all seven of her events last October. She took home a total of 21 gold medals.
The GUIDON-Moro Lorenzo and Ambrosio Padilla Athletes of the Year events are part of the Loyola Schools Awards for Leadership and Service.IMT