Thirdy Ravena excited to face Kobe, other Filipinos in B. League

By REYNALD MAGALLON
After a memorable showdown with brother Kiefer, Thirdy Ravena is now looking forward to his next assignments against other Filipino players in B.League.
Speaking after San-En's 101-96 overtime victory over Kiefer’s Shiga Lakestars on Sunday, Thirdy expressed his excitement in facing fellow Asian imports in the Japanese league.
“Definitely very excited as well. I’ve been teammates with most of them except Ray . Definitely excited for the other Filipinos playing in the B.League,” said the younger Ravena.
Thirdy, the trailblazer who triggered a surge of Filipino talents in the Japanese league, will next face close pal Kobe Paras when his team takes on the Niigata Albirex BB next week.
Paras proved to be as good as advertised in his first two games in B. League, averaging 17 points, two assists and two steals to help Niigata split its series against Kyoto Hannaryz.
The University of the Philippines standout impressed in his debut with 25 points in a losing effort for Niigata which fell to Kyoto, 85-81. Paras then struggled in his second game by firing just 10 points, but his crucial baskets down the stretch helped his team pull off a 76-75 win.
Thirdy, meanwhile, also put up solid numbers in a two-game stretch with an average of 16 points, six rebounds and three assists for the NeoPhoenix. He unloaded 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists in his match-up against brother Kiefer who was equally impressive with his 20 points and seven assists.
“Looking forward to it, we have another game against Niigata this weekend and Kobe, who has played tremendously, is also playing. He's been my best friend since we're kids so definitely excited for that and the rest of the Filipinos playing in B. League,” shared Thirdy
Aside from Paras, the second year forward will also face Javi Gomez de Llano and his Ibaraki Robots on October 23 and 24 and Ray Parks Jr. and his Nagoya Diamond Dolphins on October 27. The two, however, have yet to make their debuts with Parks nursing a muscle strain and De Llano still under the league protocols.