Thirdy Ravena knows that he was not able to live up to expectations during his rookie season with San-En in the B.League.
“I just felt like I wasn’t as helpful last season because of all the injuries and COVID and all of that.”
Last year, Ravena was named as the first-ever signing of the B.League under its Asian Quota program. And coming off five spectacular years in Ateneo and a couple of Gilas stints, the 6-foot-3 winger was expected to make an immediate impact.
However, his maiden campaign was a nightmare, to say the least, because of things Ravena had no control of.
First off, Ravena came to Japan late due to travel restrictions. He missed the entire preseason and the first month of the season.
Then after his sixth game, he tested positive for COVID-19.
During the first month of the new calendar year, Ravena fractured his right index finger during their game against Shibuya.
Ravena would return on March 31 but another injury would strike him on April 14. He suffered a sore left knee, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.
All in all, Ravena played just 18 games for San-En. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game.
“This is definitely very important,” he said about his sophomore year. “The trust that the team has given me, the belief of the whole organization in re-signing me this year… I just really want to show everyone, to the boosters, to every Filipino, that we can make an impact.
“Personally, I will do whatever it takes to win and help my teammates. It doesn’t matter if it’s scoring or passing the ball, whatever role they give me, I really want to just help them.”
During San-En’s first two games against the NeoPhoenix, Ravena is proving to San-En that they were right in making him one of the faces of their franchise.
Ravena has been averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals, leading NeoPhoenix to a 1-1 slate.
(C) B.League
Beyond the numbers, he is also becoming more of a leader to the team, especially with a lot of new faces – including world imports Elias Harris, Robert Carter, and Justin Knox.
“I feel like our team is such a unit. Regardless if you’re an import or a Japanese, off the court the chemistry is really good.
“Every time, after every practice, whether it’s the imports or the locals, we all invite each other to eat out or to go to wherever in our city or whether we’re away,” he explained. “That’s definitely a great feeling. Everyone on the team, we have really good bonding.
“I guess I really feel like our chemistry off the court is really good and I hope it translates into the game, even more, when we play. That’s why I’m looking forward to the rest of the season for this team,” he continued.
But whatever happens, Thirdy’s older brother Kiefer remains proud of what he has accomplished. After all, he paved the way for Filipinos to play in Japan’s premier league.
“Of course, I’ve watched him grow up from playing in high school and college winning a lot of championships, at the same time being a trailblazer for us Filipinos to crossover here in Japan.
“It’s just amazing to be part of his life, part of his career. He’s a grown man right now and he’s just doing his own thing,” said Kiefer.
