MANILA – Ilonggo guard Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III is taking the same professional route as his brother. He agreed to play as reinforcement in the Japan Professional Basketball League.
The Japan B.League announced on Wednesday that the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout is set to suit up as “Asian Player Quotas” for the San-en NeoPhoenix in the 2020-2021 season.
The Japan B.League’s “Asian Player Quotas”,” instituted in November of last year, aims to open doors for more non-Japanese Asian players to “enhance competition in daily games…and expand business in the Asian market.”
Ravena now follows the path taken by older brother Kiefer, who trained for a year in the US and served as practice player for Texas Legends in the NBA G-League before suiting up for the NLEX Road Warriors.
Thirdy will look to help the Aichi-based team led by former Japanese national team members Atsuya Ota, Takanobu Nishikawa, and Hisashi Da Silva bounce back from a season worst 5-36 record the last time out.
“Ever since before, I’ve always wanted to play internationally. And now that I have a chance – and it’s not just me exploring my options, there are actually offers – it’s a dream that I’ve always had and it would be a waste if I didn’t take it,” he said.
Thirdy, who saw action for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier earlier this year, skipped the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft after receiving feelers from Japan and Australia.
The decision prompted PBA commissioner Willie Marcial to remind him of the league rules where players who skip the rookie draft for two straight years could face PBA ban.
“Nangangarap lang din ako. It’s not like I’m trying to dodge any team. Skipping the draft was a risk on my part because I have no guaranteed team. If those plans don’t push through, I don’t have a team so it’s a risk for me,” Thirdy said before.
“It’s not really a matter of skipping the PBA. Who doesn’t want to play in the PBA?” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. “I just hope they understand and reconsider that rule. Chances for players to play worldwide will be wasted,” he added.
“If one gets called up for the national team, he can bring that experience and it’s gonna make everyone better and raise the level of basketball higher. I hope they reconsider it. I’m just a kid with a dream,” the Ilonggo guard further said.
The Japan B.League was founded in 2015, but traces its roots to several tournaments organized by Japan Basketball Association, the country’s governing body./PN
