Enzo Flojo on Thirdy's New Contract: "Another Chip On His Shoulder"

For someone who has witnessed the growth of one Thirdy Ravena since his high school days, Enzo Flojo isn't one to get surprised about Thirdy Ravena getting a contract extension with San-en Neo Phoenix in Japan's B.League.

Even in their early days together, Flojo saw something in Ravena.

"We could already see (back then) that this kid had some special potentials, and I'm really, really happy and proud to see him realize that potential," Flojo said during Saturday's episode of Bull By the Horn by Benny Benitez.

Of course, we saw what Thirdy Ravena did while wearing the blue and white jersey of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. (UAAP). Three championships. Three Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) plums and was one of the core players in that 16-0 perfect campaign in Season 82.

He also played for Gilas Pilipinas in the first window of the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers last year before taking his talents to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Despite the early success of Ravena, Flojo said that Thirdy Ravena felt that he always had to prove something, not just to other people. but also to himself. "Thirdy's been saying for so long that he's had a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He always felt that he needs to prove something,"

Flojo also reminded that Thirdy Ravena had to go through challenges before earning that contract extension. He played during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He got injured that limited him to 18 games. And yet, he made an impact on the team and on the league itself.

"He made an impact for his team. He made an impact if you look at the basketball numbers. He made a tremendous impact in terms of the merchandise, and the social media and publicity imprint not only of his team but of the entire league,"

Enzo Flojo concluded by warning what Ravena's opponents could face now that the former King Eagle will stay in Japan for two more seasons.

"Knowing Thirdy, knowing the drive in this kid, this is another chip on his shoulder. I'm sure he's not satisfied with the way he played in his first season in the B.League. I'm sure deep inside, he wants to continue proving himself and continue to promote the Filipino brand of basketball. That's really one of his missions. To represent our country in that league. I'm afraid for their opponents in the second season because I'm pretty sure he's going to make an even stronger impact for Neo Phoenix,"

Ravena averaged nine points, three rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He scored in double figures nine times including a season-high 18 points on November 11, 2020, against Osaka Evessa.

Screenshot is from the pinoyliga.com Facebook page