It has now been confirmed that the Dubai Basketball team, the squad where Thirdy Ravena is currently with, will compete in the upcoming EuroLeague 2025-26 season.
But a question remains as Thirdy achieves such an accomplishment, can he reach his ultimate form with the team, or will he just stay as a team mascot?
The One who Paved the Way for Filipino Asian Imports
Thirdy Ravena, the former Ateneo de Manila University superstar in the UAAP ranks, was the pioneer among Filipino players to become Asian Imports.
He was the 1st Pinoy Asian Import to play in Japan’s B League, which paved the way for other Filipino players to follow in his footsteps.
In his 1st Year with the San-en NeoPhoenix club during the 2020-21 season, he played 18 games, 14 of which he started, wherein he averaged:
- 22 Minutes per Outing
- 9.1 Points
- 3.6 Rebounds
- 1.6 Assists
- 0.7 Steals
- 0.2 Blocs
- 35.8 FG%
- 27.3% from 3-pointers
Then in Year 2 (2021-22), these are his numbers:
- Played 46 Games
- Started 32 Games
- 24 MPG
- 11.4 PPG
- 3.7 RPG
- 2.5 APG
- 1 SPG
- 0.5 BPG
- 42.4 FG%
- 27.5% from 3-pointers
YEAR 3 (2022-23):
- Played 60 Games
- Started 37 Games
- 26 MPG
- 11.5 PPG
- 4.9 RPG
- 4.3 APG
- 1.1 SPG
- 0.5 BPG
- 43.4 FG%
- 23.8% from 3-pointers
YEAR 4 (2023-24):
- Played 57 Games
- Started in all 57 Games
- 27 MPG
- 12.6 PPG
- 5 RPG
- 3 APG
- 0.9 SPG
- 0.5 BPG
- 52.2 FG%
- 26.3% from 3-pointers
With the numbers presented, many can agree that Thirdy was being utilized well during his 4-year tenure with Sanen and was being developed to be one of the best guards that has played overseas.
However, after this Japan stint, he followed it by signing with BC Dubai last July 30, 2024.
Trailblazer Thirdy takes his Talents to Dubai
The former 3X UAAP Champion signed a 1-year contract with a player option in the 2nd season at the ABA League.
But this is where things got weird for the collegiate phenom.
Out of the 30 possible games for the 2024-25 season, Thirdy could’ve played, but he only suited up in 16. And no, he wasn’t injured, and no, he wasn’t even playing heavy minutes in those 16 nights.
He was just a bench warmer, a player used when the team is down big and there’s no more chance to win the game. Or the Dubai team is up big, and Thirdy had to play garbage time.
The once-upon-a-time “Face of Filipino Asian Imports” in Japan just averaged:
- 4.5 Minutes
- 0.46 Points
- 0.03 Assists
- 0.31 Rebounds
- 0.03 Blocks
The most points he scored in a game were 4, he recorded his best rebounds of 3, had only 1 assist as well and drained only 1 3-point conversion.
The most amount of minutes he played were 10 minutes, and he did that twice.
His team, though, had a record of 25-5, good enough to be #3 in the standings. Won the Best-of-Three Quarterfinals and played in the semis but still lost, 2-1, against the eventual champions, Partizan Mozzart Bet of Serbia.
Reach his Ultimate Form or become a Team Mascot?
As of writing this story, it has been announced that the BC Dubai team of Thirdy will be making their debut at the EuroLeague 2025-26 season which will make him the 1st ever Filipino Asian Import to play at the EuroLeague.
This accomplishment isn’t easy to do, considering the number of talented hoopers in the Philippines. What Thirdy has done is nothing more than impressive and has his own level of standards with regard to “what it means to become an Asian Import.”
But truth be told, is he being utilized well by his Dubai Team, or is he just being used to get social media engagements from their accounts?
The “Pinoy Pride” was definitely observed in their videos, having him as his content. A bunch of Filipino Sports content creators have also featured his highlights in some games.
But is it really worth it despite his game, pardon me for saying this, but not developing?
As a fan of course, I wanted Thirdy to be utilized more, have that stable rotational minutes, and improve every aspect of his game.
However, what if the cost of not using him means more team success?
Thirdy is a proven WINNER and a CHAMPION in his collegiate days. But as a professional? He hasn’t tasted a Finals appearance yet in the last 5 years despite going to Japan and Dubai.
And as a sports writer, I don’t want to use the line in the possible future:
“Thirdy Ravena is a GREAT asian import, but how many championships has he won again as a pro? Right…”
Now that he is in Europe, battling bigger, tougher, more skilled, more big and talented defenders and players, he now has a chance to become a better player compared to the one who won 3-straight championships back in the Philippines.
He has outgrown the comparisons from his older brother, Kiefer Ravena. And for all we know, people have chosen him in the silly debates on “Who’s the better Ravena? Kiefer or Thirdy?”
I wish nothing but the best for him as he reaches the heights of only very few people in the Philippine basketball community ever imagined. The 28-year-old (soon to be 29 by December) has certainly OVERACHIEVED everyone’s expectations from him.
