MANILA – Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III is not yet moving to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after agreeing to stay in a multi-year deal with San-En NeoPhoenix in Japan B. League.
The Iloilo City-native Ravena announced on Monday evening his contract renewal after playing just 18 games with the NeoPhoenix in his first year with averages of 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22.8 minutes.
“Unfinished business,” said the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star. “I just want to thank the NeoPhoenix organization for the trust and support they’ve given ever since I got here.”
Ravena was the first Filipino to be signed in the league’s Asian Player Quota, which is geared towards welcoming players from the Philippines, China, Korea, and Indonesia to the Japanese B.League.
“It was indeed a tough time for me last season, having to miss a lot of games and not being able to help the team as much as I want. But despite that, it was all love from the NeoPhoenix which was why it wasn’t hard for me to make this decision,” he added.
NeoPhoenix General manager Hideki Higashi, for his part, also has high hopes with Ravena’s decision to stay up as the squad hopes to bounce back from a lackluster 2020-2021 season where they finished at 19th place with 12-47 win-loss slate.
“Together with Thirdy, San-En NeoPhoenix will aim to become a champion and inspire not only the people of their home country, but also the Filipino people living in the San-En region,” Higashi said.
“His aggressive play is something that no one else can imitate. I am confident that he will tear apart the opposing team with his aggressive play and continue to score goals to lead his team to victory,” he added.
Despite his lengthy contract with the NeoPhoenix, the three-time UAAP Finals MVP awardee assured that he is ready to suit up for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.
“I’m always ready to play for our country,” Ravena said. “I never really got a call or a formal invite from Gilas. But I understand it’s their decision. I’m just waiting for that call and I’m ready to play for my country.”/PN
