Photo from San-En NeoPhoenix’s website
MANILA, Philippines—Thirdy Ravena is taking it slowly in his return to San-En in the Japanese B. League after getting sidelined since January due to a hand injury.
The NeoPhoenix’ Asian import will make his comeback against second seed Ryukyu which holds a strong 35-10 record while San-en is at the other end of the table at 11-37, the second-worst mark in the division.
【3/31 #Bリーグ 第30節】
He is back🦅🔥
Ryukyu GoldenKings vs San-En NeoPhoenix
TipOff 19:35JST(18:35🇵🇭time)#バスケットLIVE で配信https://t.co/WdtAo7Fz1n#三遠ネオフェニックス #NoRegret #BLEAGUE pic.twitter.com/WlZ7KZzg2p— 三遠ネオフェニックス🐤🔥SAN-EN NEOPHOENIX (@NEO_PHOENIX) March 31, 2021
“It’s been about three months that I haven’t played. I’m just very excited to play again for the NeoPhoenix club and the fans, definitely, and the Filipinos who are watching, all of the basketball fans here in Japan and around the world,” said Ravena in a video that San-En posted on social media.
“I’m gonna take it one step at a time, take it slowly but surely. Hopefully, we get some wins.”
San-En has 12 games left in its schedule and far out of the playoff picture but Ravena vowed to still give it his all.
【Message from Thirdy】
いよいよ復帰となる #三遠ネオフェニックス #1 #サーディ・ラベナ @ThirdyRavenaaa 選手から負傷中も温かいサポートを続けてくださったブースターの皆さまへメッセージです💁♂️#ThirdyRavena #EMPOWERASIAbyGATSBY #NoRegret #Bリーグ #BLEAGUE https://t.co/zp6lmNSbnp pic.twitter.com/DggFhtU58x— 三遠ネオフェニックス🐤🔥SAN-EN NEOPHOENIX (@NEO_PHOENIX) March 30, 2021
“We’re gonna do whatever it takes to win every single game, play as a team for the NeoPhoenix fans, the Filipino fans, and all of the fans who are supporting us,” said Ravena. “Hopefully, we really get some wins at the end of the season.”
The NeoPhoenix, whose color motif is black, red, and white, will don limited edition joints in their two-game series against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders this weekend.
San-En’s new jerseys will be in blue in honor of Ravena’s college Ateneo and of Gilas Pilipinas.
“Gagawin ko pa rin ang lahat para ma-represent natin ang bayan natin dito sa Japan. Sa lahat ng mga nanonood, gawin ko lahat ng makakaya para makatulong sa team. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng suporta, mabuhay mga Pilipino,” said Ravena.
(I will do my best to represent our country here in Japan. To everyone who’s watching, I’ll do everything I can for my team. Thank you to all who’ve supported me, long live the Filipinos.)