Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 09:13 am
MANILA – Former Ateneo star Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III is taking his talents to Japan as an Asian import in the Japan Professional Basketball League.
The Illongo guard agreed to play as reinforcement and is set to suit up as “Asian Player Quotas” for the San-en NeoPhoenix this season.
The “Asian Player Quotas” was launched by the Japanese league to give opportunities to non-Japanese Asian players and enhanced their competition in daily games.
Aichi-based team is hoping the skills of the young Filipino guard will help them bounce back from the 5-36 record last season.
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— 三遠ネオフェニックス🐤🔥San-En NeoPhoenix (@NEO_PHOENIX) June 26, 2020
Welcome Thirdy👍
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オンラインによる入団会見が行われました🎥
An introductory press conference was ended🎥https://t.co/v1Lc17C25A#三遠ネオフェニックス #サーディ・ラベナ #Bリーグ #SanEnNeoPhoenix #ThirdyRavena #BLeague pic.twitter.com/O44uvMnini
サーディ・ラベナ選手オンライン入団会見#三遠ネオフェニックス #ThirdyRavena #Bリーグ https://t.co/bpvefU4FzX
— 三遠ネオフェニックス🐤🔥San-En NeoPhoenix (@NEO_PHOENIX) June 26, 2020
According to Ravena, He always want to play in the international league and now that he finally got the opportunity, it would be a waste for him not to take it.
Ravena skipped the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft after receiving offers from Japan and Australia.
Although PBA commissioner Willie Marcial reminds Ravena that skipping the PBA rookie draft from two straight years could face a league ban, Ravena understand the risk but would love to take the opportunity to play worldwide.
Ravena was part of Ateneo’s three straight championship campaign and was the league MVP from Season 80 to Season 82 The Japan B.League is a professional men’s basketball league that began in Japan in September 2016 under Japan Basketball Association, the country’s governing body.
