THIRDY Ravena is elated to see more and more Pinoy talents see action overseas.
"I'm very happy that all of my Filipino brothers are taking steps which they feel is best for them," said Ravena, the first to be signed on the Asian players' quota in the B.League. "Kung saan nila gustong maglaro, they're go there may it be in Japan in a league like B.League, it's a great opportunity for everyone."
See Meet first Pinoy to play in the B.League - long before Thirdy
Now on his third year in the B.League, Ravena has seen how much the landscape has changed with more and more Filipinos being enlisted by Japanese ballclubs.
Eleven Filipino players are currently lined up across the three divisions in the B.League.
Thirdy who has been with San-En NeoPhoenix since 2020, while five other players are in the first division. Kiefer Ravena is with the Shiga Lakes, Bobby Ray Parks with Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, Dwight Ramos with Levanga Hokkaido, Matthew Wright with Kyoto Hannaryz, and the newly signed Carl Tamayo with Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Four are in the second division - Kobe Paras (Altiri Chiba), Jordan Heading (Nagasaki Velca), Roosevelt Adams (Kagawa Five Arrows), and Greg Slaughter (Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka), while Jay Washington is with third division club Yokohama Excellence.
And they're not just there for show, with the Filipinos being vital pieces of their respective teams' attack.
To Ravena, it's a testament on how good the Pinoys are to be able to adjust to a new environment like the B.League.
"I'm very happy with how everyone is playing. People in the Philippines, at least, think na it's easier to play in the B.League, but most of them don't know how hard it is to play back-to-back games on the road, five games in eight days and try to maintain the consistency of how we're playing. It's not easy at all," he said.
"But with how everyone is playing, I'm just very happy and very proud of these guys. They're playing good and everyone else is playing well."

A big reason for that is the players' will to not just make good accounts of themselves but also proving that Filipino players have what it takes to make a lasting impact and compete among the best -- may it be in Japan, Korea, Australia, or elsewhere.
"I feel like it's the pride," remarked Ravena.
"Kahit saan kami maglaro, kahit saang parte pa ng mundo yan, we always carry that pride of being Filipino wherever we're playing. It's that sense of pride and responsibility that really motivates us to play even better for our clubs. We're not just seen as individuals, we're seen as a country, as Filipinos. They know us as the Asian Player quota, the Filipino players in the B.League and that's our responsibility and to be able to do that, to be able to represent the best way we can and to see my brothers do the same thing is just a great sight and great feeling for me in terms of pride."
The B.League has indeed recognized their contributions for the league's growth and formed the Asia All-Stars for its annual All-Star Weekend in Mito on Friday where the Filipinos played big in the team's 118-114 win over the Rising Stars.
With how the Filipinos have held themselves this season in the B.League, Ravena is looking ahead to better performances from his peers there going into the second half of the season.
"It's been highly anticipated since 2020 and what better way na matuloy siya with my fellow Filipino brothers here. We got to be as a team and represent the country in front of the Japanese basketball fans and Filipino basketball fans here in Mito," he said.
Ravena believes that this is just the start, with the Pinoy talent getting more and more recognized in the international stage.
"I'm looking forward to them playing well in the second half in the season. And who knows, baka may iba pang pumunta dito."
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