Proud parents: Mozzy, Bong ‘fully support’ Thirdy’s move to play in Japan
FILE – Mozzy and Bong Ravena claim the Mythical five award in behalf of their son Thirdy Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Upon learning of his son’s decision to sign with a team in the Japanese BLeague, Mozzy Ravena’s motherly instincts kicked in as she immediately came up with a checklist of things to bring for Thirdy Ravena in anticipation of the move.
“We want to make sure he’s ready since he will be living alone there,” Ravena told the Inquirer, referring to Thirdy, who just signed with SAN EN NeoPhoenix as its Asian import.
“This will be the longest that he will be away from the family. He would be away because of training camps with Ateneo before but it was only a few weeks or a month, but this time its longer.”
TNT KaTropa coach Bong Ravena and wife, Mozzy, are no strangers to sending off a son to chase his basketball dreams.
They’ve done that with the eldest son, Kiefer, a few years ago when he took his chance of making the NBA D-League in the United States.
But there was a cloud of uncertainty with that move as Kiefer had no guaranteed deal giving him the freedom to return to the Philippines. Kiefer then joined the PBA draft in 2017.
Thirdy’s case is different as he will need to be in Japan for the duration of the BLeague season which runs around 10 months.
“We fully support his move,” said Mozzy. “Like any parent of an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker), we also have our concerns, but we know he’s ready for the challenge there. It’s also a risk because he skipped the (PBA) draft last year.”
Thirdy, 23, stepped out of Kiefer’s shadows at Ateneo by winning three championships on top of three Finals MVP awards, the last coming last November when the Blue Eagles pulled off an 18-0 season sweep.
“We’re proud of him (Thirdy), said Mozzy. “As much as we want him to be with us, we also want him to reach his full potential and fulfill his dreams. We don’t want him to have any regrets with his basketball career.”
