Filipino B. League import Thirdy Ravena had nothing but gratitude for his Japanese team San-en NeoPhoenix after their season wrapped up on Wednesday, May 5.

Although he wished he could have played more than 18 out of a possible 59 games to help the rebuilding squad, he was nonetheless thankful for the opportunity as a whole.

“Season’s officially over. Wish I was able to play more games, but such is life,” he wrote on Instagram after their last 75-80 loss to the Shinshu Brave Warriors.

“Thank you to the [NeoPhoenix] family and boosters for accepting this young and clueless kid from the Philippines with open arms! It was an experience I will never forget!”

Ravena tried his best to play in the season’s final stretch despite all the remaining games being non-bearing ones owing to their lackluster 12-47 record.

However, the 24-year-old prospect ultimately failed to suit up in the team’s last 5 games after he tweaked his left knee on April 14 against the powerhouse Ryukyu Golden Kings.

This was the fourth major setback to Ravena’s budding overseas career that caused him to miss extended time.

  

Prior to the knee injury, the former three-time UAAP Finals MVP sat out his first 10 games due to visa issues, two more weeks due to COVID-19, and nearly 3 whole months due to a wrist injury.

As the PBA back home in the Philippines already held their annual rookie draft, this may mean that fans have not seen the last of Ravena in international league competition.

And given how sparingly Ravena played in his first year as a pro, he is definitely raring for way more. – Rappler.com