MANILA — With his overseas stint entering a flexible phase, Ilonggo guard Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III has kept the door firmly open on a long-anticipated return home, saying a future stint in the Philippine Basketball Association remains a personal career goal.
Ravena, a member of the Gilas Pilipinas squad that captured the gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, said that while he continues to entertain opportunities abroad, the PBA has never been removed from his long-term plans.
“Always a possibility. Ang PBA never naman nawala in my… at least for me, personally, sa career ko,” Ravena said in an interview with Fastbreak.
“It’s just habang may ibang offers, I am just playing overseas right now, but it is still my dream to play in the PBA,” added the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout.
The Ilonggo guard has spent recent years building his résumé overseas, seeing action in leagues in Japan and Dubai, while remaining a steady presence in the national team pool. Now a free agent, Ravena acknowledged that his current status allows him to weigh his next move carefully, including a potential homecoming.
While he declined to set a specific timeline for a PBA entry, Ravena stressed that the goal remains intact even as overseas offers continue to come in.
Beyond club play, Ravena also expressed readiness to answer another call-up from the national team under head coach Tim Cone, noting that representing the country remains a priority.
“I am always ready to represent the country naman depende na lang kung may invite tayo,” Ravena said in an exclusive interview with Fastbreak’s Zeus Valdez.
“And of course sa situation, now I am a free agent so I have more time, hindi na kailangan kausapin ’yung team kasi wala akong team,” he added.
Ravena has been a longtime fixture in the national program, including multiple international campaigns under former head coach Vincent Chot Reyes, and continues to position himself as an option for future Gilas Pilipinas duties as he charts the next phase of his career./PN
