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NeoPhoenix boss believes more Pinoy players can follow Thirdy to Japan league

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/06/29/thirdy-ravena-with-phoenix-co.jpg"/><figcaption>Thirdy Ravena with Phoenix Co., Ltd. CEO Kenjiro Hongo and GM Seiichiro Kage. Handout</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- Thirdy Ravena&#x27;s decision to play in Japan&#x27;s B.League can open doors for more Filipino basketball players.After an excellent collegiate career that saw him help Ateneo de Manila University win three straight UAAP titles, Ravena decided to forego the PBA Draft and instead pursue opportunities abroad. He announced last week that he was headed to the B.League, to play for the San-En NeoPhoenix, a first division team.His new boss, Phoenix Co., Ltd. chief executive Kenjiro Hongo, believes Ravena will be the first of many.&quot;I believe that a lot of Filipino (players) will join the B.League, and hopefully, they will succeed,&quot; Hongo said in a press conference where they formally introduced Ravena as their newest player.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/football/news/2020/06/28/nwsl-players-kneel-national-anthem-69087">READ: NWSL players kneel during the national anthem</a></li></ul>Ravena&#x27;s signing was made possible by the B.League&#x27;s &quot;Asian Player Quota&quot; rules, a system that allows the clubs to sign Asian imports. Implemented just this season, the system was done to &quot;enhance competitive abilities by matching with various Asian players in daily games, and to expand business in the Asian market,&quot; according to the league.Ravena was the first player signed to the league under the rules.&quot;I couldn&#x27;t believe when I saw Thirdy,&quot; Hongo said. &quot;It&#x27;s like an American (player). I couldn&#x27;t believe that.&quot;Hongo also called Ravena &quot;the best player in his country.&quot;Ravena, for his part, believes that there are already players in the Philippines who are ready to take their talents to Japan.&quot;There are a couple of guys in my head, but you know, they&#x27;ve pursued other interests,&quot; he said. &quot;(There are) some actually, but they&#x27;re not allowed just because they&#x27;re not fully Asian, but I do know a couple of people who can play in Japan.&quot;A day after Ravena was formally introduced by NeoPhoenix, PBA veteran Calvin Abueva hinted that he may be the next player to head to the B.League.On his Instagram stories, Abueva posted a screenshot of a text where someone tells him that there is an offer from the B.League. Ravena said the players who are given new opportunities should &quot;follow (their) heart.&quot;&quot;If you want to play internationally, pursue that. If your heart is to play in the Philippines, you can do that as well,&quot; he said.<div>(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).</div>

Thirdy Ravena's decision to play in Japan's B.League can open doors for more Filipino basketball players.

Thirdy Ravena's decision to play in Japan's B.League can open doors for more Filipino basketball players.

NeoPhoenix boss believes more Pinoy players can follow Thirdy to Japan league

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NeoPhoenix boss believes more Pinoy players can follow Thirdy to Japan league

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 29, 2020 03:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Thirdy Ravena

Japan

B.League

Calvin Abueva

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