More than a month in, Thirdy Ravena adjusts well in Japan

As he was inching to his second month in Toyohashi, Thirdy Ravena has been getting used to his new surroundings.

The first Filipino cager in the Japan’s B.League had talked to Migs Bustos on Off The Record about his big leap to start his professional career and the adjustments that came on its way, especially coming to the land of the Rising Sun armed with a stellar career with Ateneo in the UAAP.

He conveyed, “It’s been good so far. I mean, life in Japan has definitely been new. First time to live alone, and first year to play professional basketball.”

For him it will not be possible with all the support that he got across the board to get his transition seamless.

“And it’s been really good, with the help of my family, my friends, and of course the San-En Neophoenix really helping me with whatever that I need to adjust whether it’s on the court or off. They’ve been really great, very welcoming and warm. Adjusting has been pretty easy for me, I would say.”

If that was an ordinary person going overseas they will have to endure a lot of things just to fit in to new surroundings, not to mention that there’s the homesickness that will creep in.

 But not for Ravena. He even enjoys the challenge that comes to that. And why in Japan?

Thirdy remarked, “I was given an opportunity that’s not really given to a lot of people. I was thinking na ‘If I don’t take this, will I regret this down the road?’ or when will this ever happen to me.”

“As a player, I always wanna be challenged whether it’s on the court with good players, or an opportunity that you don’t know if it would work out for you or not.”

Having been stripped of the usual comfort would dampen one’s spirit in their quest to do better. But not for Thirdy.

“So, really just pushing myself out of my comfort zone was one of the reasons why I wanted to take on the challenge on playing as an import in Japan. Because you’re not just gonna be challenged with a physical aspect or the basketball aspect, but you’re also gonna be challenged mentally.”

And just like a normal OFW, he has to do all the things all by himself which is one factor that he likes about pushing himself to be the best that he can be.

“Pero here, lahat kelangan mo pang gawin. Maglalaundry ka pa, magluluto ka na, tas mag-isa ka pa. So ayun definitely a challenge. So that made me inspired to try.”

And he responded well for San-En head coach Branislav Vićentić, averaging 12 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 23 minutes speaks about his impact to the bottom team of the league.

However he had to admit that there is more to learn from it.

“It’s still a matter of adjusting for me. I don’t think that playing a game na where I really am content of how I play, because I feel I still have to adjust, still have to find my niche sa team.”

For him, keeping the lines open is vital on his growth, as he never ceases to talk to his Serbian mentor like a curious pupil in class.

“And I feel like I still have to get a lot of details right. Once I get the right thing, that’s what I really have to be able to show my game,” he then said.

“Still happy with how I played, could have been worse. Very happy pa rin regardless.”

FILE PHOTOS: SAN-EN NEOPHOENIX