THIRDY Ravena will have to wait a little bit longer before he can make his much-awaited debut in the Japanese B.League.
Visa issues have grounded the 6-foot-3 high-flyer and will force him to miss the season-opener for San-En NeoPhoenix this weekend.
"Sadly, I'll miss the opener," he told Spin.ph. "We're fixing my visa now pero as soon as matapos yun, aalis na agad ako."
The Gilas Pilipinas pool member made history as the first player to be signed in the Japanese league's groundbreaking Asian Player Quota.
San-En is scheduled to begin its campaign in the 2020-21 B.League season with a pair of home games slated against the Chiba Jets scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
The 23-year-old swingman, though, will be reduced into a spectator as he was left with no choice but to stretch his patience before being able to fly to Japan.
"Waiting na lang kami now," the three-time UAAP Finals MVP said.
Once he secures his Japanese visa and flies to Toyohashi City, Ravena will also be required to subject himself to a 14-day quarantine, which is part of the Japan Health Declaration Form mandated by the country's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The former Ateneo star can only link up with his new team at the end of the mandatory quarantine period.
Without Ravena, NeoPhoenix coach Branislav Vicentic will be banking on national players Atsuya Ota and Takanobu Nishikawa, as well as American import Andre Murray, and Bahamian center Gjio Bain.
Ravena skipping the San-En opener also robs him of the chance to face off against Japanese starting point guard Yuki Togashi, who will lead the charge for Chiba.
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