Thirdy Ravena hopes to see more Filipinos play in Japan B.League

FILE – San-en NeoPhoenix’s Thirdy Ravena. B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—It’s been two years since Thirdy Ravena became the first Asian import in the Japan B.League.

Ravena’s bold move blazed a trail and opened a pathway not only for other Filipinos but also for other Asian players to thrive in greener pastures.

A lot has changed since with a bevy of Filipino hoops stars following suit and taking their acts elsewhere whether it be the B.League, Korean Basketball Association, or the T1 League in Taiwan.

Ravena couldn’t be any happier seeing his fellow Filipinos shine and share the same journey as him.

“I’m very happy that I got my Filipino brothers to play with me in Japan right now and everybody can see how great of a league the B.League is,” said Ravena during the B.League 2022-23 press conference on Tuesday. “I Just wanna say thank you to the league for accepting us Filipinos and other Asian [players].”

There are currently 10 Filipinos signed in the B.League with Jay Washington, who had a 16-year PBA career, the latest one after inking a deal with powerhouse Ryukyu earlier this month.

More are likely to go the same route and Ravena is all for it.

“Hoping for more Filipinos to come. Whichever path they may choose just know that Japan’s always a nice place to be and the league always evolving, always looking for ways on how to develop not just the players but the league and make it stronger and stronger each and every single year.”