By Jonas Terrado
Thirdy Ravena is relishing on the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s best players and coaches after becoming a late inclusion in Gilas Pilipinas’ pool for the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Uncertainties surrounding the recovery of injured players Raymond Almazan and Troy Rosario opened the door for the Ateneo star to be included in coach Yeng Guiao’s pool and Ravena is eager to take the chance of gaining improvements at this point of his career.
“It means a lot to gain some experience of not even by playing but by being around these guys,” Ravena said after attending his first practice for Gilas last Thursday at the Meralco Gym.
“It’s a lot of experience, all of them have represented the country at least once so it’s a great opportunity for me as a player because it doesn’t come often,” he added.
Though chances that Ravena may not make it to the 12-man roster for the crucial road games against Qatar on Feb. 21 and Kazakhstan on Feb. 24, coach Yeng Guiao is not ruling out anything at this point.
“If Troy and Raymond cannot make it, he will fill up the slot,” Guiao said. “That is why I told Thirdy right off the bat about his role so that he will know what his expectations are.
“Of course, I do not take away the possibility of him deserving a regular slot instead of being a backup option, but for now, he’s a backup option,” added Guiao.
Almazan is nursing an ankle injury while Rosario suffered a broken nose before the start of the PBA Philippine Cup.
