MANILA – Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III and Frederick Tungcab were added by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to Gilas Pilipinas’ pool in preparation for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
In a report by the Tiebreaker Times, Ravena and Tungcab will join the five players in the Gilas special draft during last month’s 2019 PBA Rookie Draft namely Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Allyn Bulanadi, and twins Matt and Mike Nieto.
The 6-foot-3 23-year-old Ravena normed 14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.13 steals, and 0.47 blocks per game in his final year with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
Ravena, younger brother of NLEX Road Warriors’ Kiefer Ravena, also became part of the 33-man Gilas pool that played during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers last year.
Tungcab, on the other hand, was surprisingly selected despite averaging 2.94 points and 1.63 rebounds per game in his final year with the University of the Philippines Maroons.
All seven players will be part of the team that will compete in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers that begins in February.
Gilas Pilipinas is situated in Group A together with Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.
The Philippines will open its campaign versus Thailand on Feb. 20 before facing Indonesia on the 23rd./PN
