MANILA – Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III has made it clear that he still aims to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the future despite recently signing as import for the San-en NeoPhoenix in the Japan B.League.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles guard said that, while there is no timetable yet on when he will jump in the PBA, he assured that it is part of his career plan.
“Hindi mawawala ‘yung PBA sa akin (in the future),” said Ravena in an interview at the Power&Play radio program of Noli Eala. “Ngayon mahirap lang sabihin precisely when because time is a bit uncertain right now.
“Ang daming nangyayari right now and there’s a lot of mess in terms of scheduling,” added the three-time UAAP Finals MVP. “We’ll take it one year at a time, take it one contract at a time.”
Ravena’s assurance came after PBA commissioner Willie Marcial informed him before that there is a league rule where players who skip the rookie draft for two straight years could face PBA ban.
Ravena was already eligible to apply in last year’s draft, but begged off from joining the proceedings as he was considering offers to play in Japan and Australia.
Marcial, however, said in a separate interview that Ravena has recently reached out to him to inform the league that he could not take part in this year’s PBA Rookie Draft due to his contract with Phoenix.
“Tumawag siya sa akin at nag-usap kami tungkol sa plano niya,” said Marcial. “I think magbibigay pa yata siya ng letter sa PBA regarding this. Nag-usap na kami tungkol diyan bago pa siya nag-announce tungkol sa pagpunta niya ng Japan.”/PN
