Thirdy Ravena
Ravena in 2020
No. 0 – San-en NeoPhoenix
PositionShooting guard
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (1996-12-17) December 17, 1996 (age 27)
Iloilo City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High schoolAteneo de Manila
CollegeAteneo de Manila University (2014–2019)
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–presentSan-en NeoPhoenix
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Philippines
Southeast Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 2021 Hanoi Team

Ferdinand "Thirdy" Crisologo Ravena III[1] (born December 17, 1996) is a Filipino professional basketball player for San-en NeoPhoenix of the Japanese B.League.[2][3][4][5] Ravena played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles of the UAAP during his college days. He plays the shooting guard position.

Early life

Ravena was born on December 17, 1996, in Iloilo City, Philippines.[6] He is the son of Bong Ravena, who played for the UE Red Warriors and was the 1992 PBA Rookie of the year and Mozzy Crisologo-Ravena, a retired volleyball player who used to play for the UST Golden Tigresses and the Philippines women's national volleyball team. He is also the younger brother of Kiefer Ravena, who is currently playing for the Shiga Lakestars, also in Japan's B.League, and the older brother of Dani Ravena, who is currently playing for the Ateneo Lady Eagles.[7]

Collegiate career

UAAP Season 77 (2014)

Ravena's rookie season was in 2014 alongside his brother Kiefer Ravena. There was a lot of hype surrounding Thirdy's rookie season as he was considered the future of the league. Unfortunately, Thirdy had one of the worst seasons of his up and coming college career.

UAAP Season 78 (2015)

This was supposed to be Thirdy's second year but he had to sit out because of bad grades. It is in the rules of Ateneo sports that you can not play in any league (even if not UAAP) if you have a failing mark.

UAAP Season 79 (2016)

This is officially Thirdy's second playin year where he led the Blue Eagles to the 2nd Seed with a 10–4 win loss record and faced FEU in the semifinals. He helped Ateneo advance to the finals against their archrivals the De La Salle Green Archers in a 2–0 series win by the Green Archers.

UAAP Season 80 (2017)

With Thirdy having experienced 2 years in the UAAP, he led the Blue Eagles to the 1st seed with a 13–1 win–loss record. They once again faced FEU in the semifinals and were in the brink of elimination despite having the twice-to-beat advantage. They faced La Salle in the finals again but this time triumphant winning 2–1 in the best of three finals series. Thirdy grabbed the Finals MVP honors with Ateneo's 9th Championship

UAAP Season 81 (2018)

As defending champions and Ateneo representing the Philippines in that year's Jones Cup, expectations were high for Ateneo. Everyone thought they would sweep it but they lost their first game of the season. After that loss, the Blue Eagles led by Thirdy were fired up and did their best ending with a 12–2 record. Ateneo faced FEU again and won in one game. Thirdy again led Ateneo to back-to-back titles, 10th overall against the UP Fighting Maroons. Thirdy won Finals MVP for the second time in a row with a historical 38 point performance in Game 2 of the UAAP Finals.

UAAP Season 82 (2019)

For Thirdy's final year in the UAAP, he led Ateneo to a 14–0 season sweep and booked them an automatic trip to the finals. For the finals they faced the UST Growling Tigers. Beating them in 2 games for a three-peat and Ateneo's 11th title. Thirdy won Finals MVP for the third straight time (First in UAAP history). Thirdy's 32 point game in Game 1 of the Finals sealed the case for Thirdy's third straight Finals MVP trophy.

Professional career

San-en NeoPhoenix (2020–present)

On June 24, 2020, San-en NeoPhoenix of the B.League announced that it has signed in Ravena for the 2020–21 season.[8] He is the first ever player to be signed-in under the league's Asian Player Quotas system which involve non-Japanese Asian imports.[6] Due to travel restrictions imposed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ravena was only able to leave the Philippines for Japan in October 2020.[9]

In his debut for the San-en NeoPhoenix, he put up 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in an 83-82 win over the Shimane Susanoo Magic.[10] On November 27, 2020, Ravena tested positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting fever which temporarily sidelined him from playing.[11] He rejoined NeoPhoenix, after the team announced that he has recovered by December 11.[12] In January 2021, Thirdy Ravena suffered a finger fracture and missed at least 3 months of B-league games.[13] Ravena played 18 games in his first year with the NeoPhoenix, averaging 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 22.8 minutes per game.

On May 10, 2021, Ravena signed a multi-year contract extension with the NeoPhoenix.[14] On October 2, he faced his brother Kiefer and the Shiga Lakestars during the first game of the season, recording 11 points and 6 rebounds in a 93–83 loss.[15]

National team career

Ravena has played for the Philippine national team at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers.[16]

He was included in the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[17] However, he was not included in the 12-man final roster.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Profiles of the UAAP Season 76 Blue Eaglets". Ateneo de Manila University. June 27, 2013.
  2. ^ "選手契約（新規）のお知らせ". 三遠ネオフェニックス.
  3. ^ "三遠ネオフェニックスが『アジア特別枠』にフィリピンの大学No.1プレーヤー、サーディ・ラベナを獲得".
  4. ^ "Ｂリーグ三遠、アジア特別枠で比選手を獲得：中日新聞Web". 中日新聞Web.
  5. ^ FromOne co., Ltd. "三遠ネオフェニックスがアジア特別枠を初活用！ フィリピン人ガードの獲得を発表". バスケットボールキング.
  6. ^ a b Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (June 24, 2020). "Thirdy Ravena signs with San-en NeoPhoenix in Japan's B.League". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Corp, ABS-CBN. "Dani Ravena can be the next leader of the Lady Eagles". ABS-CBN SPORTS.
  8. ^ "Thirdy Ravena takes act to Japanese BLeague". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  9. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 13, 2020). "Thirdy Ravena finally set for Japan flight to join B.League team". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  10. ^ Philip Matel (November 7, 2020). "Thirdy Ravena impresses in Japan B.League debut, has 13 in team's tight win". ESPN5. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  11. ^ Matthew Li (November 27, 2020). "Thirdy Ravena has tested positive for COVID-19". Tiebreaker Times.
  12. ^ Leongson, Randolph (December 11, 2020). "Thirdy Ravena joins NeoPhoenix in road trip after recovering from COVID". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  13. ^ "Thirdy Ravena sits out as setbacks continue". Rappler.
  14. ^ Leongson, Randolph (May 10, 2021). "Thirdy Ravena signs multi-year extension with San-En NeoPhoenix". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  15. ^ "Kiefer gets last laugh vs Thirdy as Shiga stuns NeoPhoenix in opener". Spin.ph.
  16. ^ From the wires (May 28, 2017). "Thirdy Ravena, Chloe Daos named top Ateneo student-athletes of the year". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  17. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 6, 2023). "Clarkson, Brownlee, Kouame head 21-man Gilas pool for World Cup". spin.ph. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  18. ^ Ventura, Sid (August 23, 2023). "Gilas Pilipinas confirm final 12 for FIBA World Cup". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
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