Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Thirdy Ravena lived the dream when he made his debut for Gilas Pilipinas in the last two games of the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Ravena is grateful for the experience that a collegiate player like him could only wish for but the Ateneo superstar is far from content.
The Philippines had just secured a ticket back to the Fiba World Cup and Ravena is keen on making the lineup especially with his older brother Kiefer already cleared to play when that time comes.
“I really, really, really miss my brother playing. He’s been such an inspiration and motivation for me to just keep pushing myself as well because that’s what he does,” said Thirdy, who was among the major awardees during the 2018 PSA Awards Night at Manila Hotel.
“Just the fact that there’s actually a possibility for that to happen just makes me more motivated to try and do my best to make the lineup.”
The two became the first brothers to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas after Kiefer played in the second window of the qualifying tournament last March two months before news broke about his 18-month suspension by Fiba due to doping.
Thirdy was a late addition to the national team pool and many even considered him to be a long shot to make the Philippines’ 12-man lineup and yet the prolific forward defied the odds and played in both games against Qatar and Kazakhstan.
“Surreal until now that I was able to represent the country at the highest level,” Thirdy said.
“The fact that I was around such great players and coaches for a short amount of time, was really big especially for a collegiate player like me to be around those guys who have represented the country for numerous times. I really learned a lot from them.”
Seeing the two Ravenas on the Philippines’ World Cup roster appear to be a far-fetched reality for now, but there’s still a possibility—no matter how slim the chances are—that it could happen.
“Why not?” Thirdy said with a grin.