Cheyenne Suarez

Thirdy Ravena signs with Toyama Grouses, Jamie Malonzo finds new home in Earthfriends Tokyo Z

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783676026363BASKETBALL.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Thirdy Ravena and Jamie Malonzo. File photos from B.LEAGUE, FIBA BASKETBALL"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Thirdy Ravena and Jamie Malonzo. <em>File photos from B.LEAGUE, FIBA BASKETBALL</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA -- Thirdy Ravena and Jamie Malonzo have found their new homes in the Japan B.League.</p><p>Ravena will begin a new chapter in the Japanese league with the Toyama Grouses, the team made the announcement on Friday.</p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>&quot;Hello boosters, I’m Thirdy Ravena and I’m excited to come back to Japan and play my best for the Grouses this season,&quot; he said in the team&#x27;s post.</p><p>Ravena first entered the B.League in 2020, breaking new ground for Filipino basketball players when he signed as an Asian import.</p><p>The three-time UAAP champion spent four seasons with the San-en NeoPhoenix before moving to Emirati club Dubai Basketball in the ABA League.</p><p>Ravena played 18 games with Dubai Basketball in the 2024-2025 season, before reportedly leaving Dubai. Last May, the 29-year-old participated in B.League Final Week in Manila festivities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/21/japan-b-league-to-hold-first-overseas-games-in-manila-1637"><strong>READ: Japan B.League to hold first overseas games in Manila<br/></strong></a></div><p>Meanwhile, Malonzo is going back to Japan, signing with the Earthfriends Tokyo Z.</p><p>The Japanese squad welcomed Malonzo and five others players on its official social media pages on Friday.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m incredibly blessed and grateful to begin this new chapter of my journey with Earthfriends Tokyo Z. It’s an honor to join a club with such passionate fans and a strong vision for the future. I&#x27;m excited to get to Tokyo, meet my teammates, coaches, and everyone who supports this organization,&quot; Malonzo said in the team&#x27;s official website.  </p><p>&quot;I can&#x27;t wait to compete at the highest level, give everything I have every single day, and do my part to help bring success to the team. See you all soon — let&#x27;s make this a special season together!&quot; he further wrote.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/21/dwight-ramos-looks-forward-to-sharing-b-league-culture-to-pinoys-in-manila-games-2314"><strong>READ: Dwight Ramos looks forward to sharing B.League culture to Pinoys in Manila games<br/></strong></a></div><p>Last July, Malonzo made the shocking move to leave Barangay Ginebra after three years of playing with the team in the PBA.</p><p>The 29-year-old signed with Kyoto Hannaryz, but ended up only producing averages of 1.2 points and 1.0 rebound in 6.2 minutes of play.</p><p>Last October, Malonzo&#x27;s contract with the team was terminated after only five games.</p><p>Malonzo is expected to suit up for the Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the upcoming season, where the team will play in the league&#x27;s second division in the eastern conference.  </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a564jyBUV4g??si=lOiLDEwaHVXhoboy&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Thirdy Ravena and Jamie Malonzo have found their new homes in the Japan B.League.</p>

Thirdy Ravena and Jamie Malonzo have found their new homes in the Japan B.League.