Thirdy Ravena’s efforts have paid off greatly.
The 22-year-old from Ateneo has been included in Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man team that will take on Qatar in the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers.
The team was unveiled on Tuesday evening.
Also included in the lineup are Paul Lee and Mark Barroca. Lee is returning after missing the fifth window, since his mother team Magnolia Hotshots had been in the PBA Finals at the time.
On the other hand, Barroca is making his way back to the program – of which he is among the pioneers – after nearly eight years, or since the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.
Ravena, Lee, and Barroca are joined by Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, Scottie Thompson, Gabe Norwood, and Jayson Castro.
Andray Blatche will be the team’s naturalized center. The 6-foot-11 center has come back to the fold after he was left out of the 20-plus-man talent pool back in the fifth window.
Out are Raymond Almazan and Roger Pogoy. The 6-foot-8 slotman reportedly hurt his left ankle during the Nationals’ practice in Doha last Sunday. Meanwhile, Pogoy will only be eligible versus Kazakhstan, as his five-game suspension stemming from that infamous brawl with Australia last July 2018 will end versus Qatar.
Gilas will face the Qataris on Thursday, February 21.
