Thirdy Ravena is determined to produce a better showing for the San-en Neophoenix after his maiden stint in Japan was marred by injuries.
Ravena was limited to just 18 games due to a COVID-19 infection, a fractured finger and an injured left knee, enough motivation for him to improve himself going into the B.League offseason.
The former Ateneo star, who also signed a multi-year extension to stay with San-en this week, will also work on his conditioning which he sorely lacked since arriving in the Land of the Rising Sun late last year.
“I also think that I wasn’t in 100 percent condition and 100 percent in shape coming to Japan, and I think yung pinagdaanan ko like yung injuries and COVID parang di ako makabwelo, di ako makasimula,” Ravena said in an interview with One Sports’ The Game.
“But I mean, the season’s done and I have a chance to prepare and to really show what I can give to the game as a player and to the team as well,” added the 24-year-old.
Consistency was among the things Ravena had to work during his limited appearance with the Neophoenix, who finished with a 12-47 record.
He also had to miss a large portion of the regular season — 22 games to be exact — stretching from early-January to late-March after hurting his finger in a game against the Shibuya Sun Rockers.
“So hopefully, we stay healthy this summer and I’m just gonna work my butt off in order to be the best player that I can possibly be,” he said.
“And I’m gonna come with the same type of mentality every day when I step onto the court and hopefully next season mapakita ko yung laro ko and represent the Philippines the best way I can,” Ravena concluded.