Thirdy Ravena’s move to play for San-En in the B.League has opened doors for Filipino basketball players.
Over the past month, B.League clubs have been on a signing spree, tapping the brightest young talents the country has right now.
Just a month after Thirdy signed a multi-year renewal with NeoPhoenix, his older brother Kiefer inked a deal with Division I team Shiga.
A couple of weeks later, Juan Gomez de Liaño joined Division II team Tokyo Z. Juan’s signing was game-changing since it cleared dual passport holders to play in Japan’s premier league as long as they have served the national team.
Then just Monday afternoon, Juan’s older brother Javi was tapped as the Asian Quota player of Ibaraki, a Division II squad recently promoted to the top tier.
Of course, the Ravenas congratulated the Gomez de Liaños for fulfilling their overseas dreams in Japan.
For Thirdy, he can’t wait to face Javi on the court.
The Robots will most likely be also in the same conference as NeoPhoenix.
Kiefer was also glad for Javi.
Congrats, @javigdl22
— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) July 5, 2021
Kiefer, though, has yet to receive clearance from the Phillippine Basketball Association to play for the Lakestars.
Javi hopes that his Gilas senior can join them as well, since he has yet to face Kiefer in an organized game.
Thank you Kief! Excited to play against you in the B League 🙌🏽
— Javier Gomez de Liaño (@javigdl22) July 5, 2021
Thirdy earlier expressed his eagerness to face Kiefer as they have been on the same side for their entire careers — both in Ateneo and in Gilas.
“It’s going to be exciting that we will be facing each other. We are going to have some fun,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
Juan, on the other hand, looks to not just lift Earth Friends out of the lower echelon of Division II, but also showcase himself to Division I teams.
And if they ever find a common time, he hopes to hang out with his good pals and his brother anywhere in Japan.
“If we have free time during the weekends, we definitely can chop it up and do whatever.”
Clearly, Japan has become the new battleground for Filipino cagers.
