IT was more about the fit rather than the money which lured Thirdy Ravena to San-En NeoPhoenix in the Japanese B.League.
The 23-year-old set said on The Prospects Pod he picked San-En over the other clubs revolved mostly around what his role for the team will be.
"We really didn’t even pick nga if you’re wondering yung highest offer," he said.
Ravena's terms were not disclosed, but based on a Japan Times report last November, the average base salary for players in the B.League in the 2018-19 season was at Y16.1 million (P7.5 million).
"We only picked kung ano talaga yung best fit doon sa hinahanap talaga namin which is yung makakalaro ka and walang expectations kasi ganoon nga yung standing," he said.
The NeoPhoenix only won five of their 41 games last season as they finished in the cellar of the Central District and was dead-last in the whole first division of the B.League before the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the season with a third of the games still unplayed.
Ravena is embracing the challenge of being one of the key cogs in turning San-En's fortunes, looking at the club's situation in a positive light.
"Alam ko nga yung standing wasn’t really the best standing, but when you look at it, pwede rin siyang maging positive kasi walang expectations and there’s only room for a lot of improvement pag sa mga ganong bagay. So it’s one of the reasons why I chose NeoPhoenix," he said.
"Maganda talaga yung organization na yun tsaka sobrang bait, kahit yung president. Everyone on the team, talagang welcoming sila. So magi-improve na lang kami from there."
Spin fans unite at Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now! Complete the experience by subscribing in the Spin Chatbot and download the Spin Game Sticker Pack.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
