FILE-Thirdy Ravena during a Gilas Pilipinas practice in 2018. INQUIRER PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Thirdy Ravena is back in the Philippines to join Gilas Pilipinas ahead of the 2023 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Ravena’s mother Mozzy confirmed to INQUIRER.net on Wednesday that the San-En forward joined the team for practice Wednesday afternoon.
“He went to Gilas practice today, I think it started at 1 PM,” said Mozzy.
Ravena, who posted an Instagram story from inside Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, is the second player from the Japan B.League to get a clearance after Toyama point guard Dwight Ramos entered the bubble in the first week of February.
Thirdy Ravena’s Instagram Story.
The 6-foot-3 wingman, who started his senior career for the Philippines in the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, is also expected to join Gilas’ training camp in Lipa, Batangas.
Already an experienced player overseas, Ravena will join Ramos, Will Navarro, Ange Kouame, Jaydee Tungcab, Tzaddy Rangel, and Juan Gomez de Liaño in the new Gilas team under head coach Chot Reyes.
Joining the Gilas are players from TNT whom Reyes tabbed to reinforce the national team for the February window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
The Philippines will host Group A from Feb.24 to 28 at Smart Araneta Coliseum with Gilas playing against South Korea, New Zealand, and India.