UAAP: Thirdy Ravena - the third coming, the complete package?

If you’re having a sense of déjà vu while watching Thirdy Ravena, nobody can really blame you. Two decades ago, his father Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena was a high-flying swingman out of the University of the East, famed for highlight-reel moves and big scoring bursts, a combination that eventually translated into a fruitful PBA career.

Just three years ago, Thirdy’s older brother, Kiefer, was the object of desire of several colleges and universities as he terrorized high school competition with his complete game.

Now, it’s Thirdy’s turn in the spotlight.

Human highlight film

Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III has been a YouTube sensation in recent years for his rim-rattling dunks and because there’s a chance that he delivers a triple-double every time he steps on a basketball court. Standing 6’2”, he’s taller than Kiefer, and might be a better rebounder as well. He’s similarly been blessed with the athletic genes of dad Bong and mom Mozzy, herself a former volleyball player of the University of Santo Tomas.



In his final season playing for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, he earned Most Valuable Player honors, though the team fell short of a championship against the National University Bullpups. Along the way, Thirdy averaged 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. With his basketball pedigree and the accomplishments both in high school and playing in the U18 3x3 FIBA Championship, schools were lining up to try and snag Thirdy. Instead, he chose to stay in Katipunan Avenue and team up with his older brother.

Siblings united at last

“Naisip ko rin po na marami akong natutunan sa Ateneo,” he noted, adding, “Pero di ko naman po sinasabing wala akong matututunan sa ibang schools. But I feel like I belong in Ateneo along with my brother.”

It's official. Finally teammates with @kieferravena for the first time. ????

— October's Very Own (@ThirdyRavenaaa) January 15, 2014

Bong and Mozzy’s sons have amazingly never been on the same squad. “Not even once. Never kaming naging teammates in an official game,” Thirdy says. “That’s why I’m really looking forward to playing with him during the season and we’ll try to develop each other’s game along with our teammates.”

[Related: Ateneo brings sibling act to play as Thirdy Ravena confirms team-up with brother Kiefer]

Before Kiefer even gained a spot on the roster of the Blue Eagles, he had already been branded as a messianic figure, someone to keep Ateneo’s winning tradition going while they were in the middle of their five-peat. Kiefer went on to meet those expectations, playing a key role in bringing about Ateneo’s last two titles.

In contrast, Thirdy heads to an Ateneo squad coming off a disappointing fifth place finish in an injury-plagued Season 76. The team has gone into full rebuilding mode and the additions of Thirdy, San Beda big man Arvin Tolentino, and the Hope Christian High School duo of John Apacible and Clark Doliguez are the cornerstones of this movement.

Superstar role player?

“What I’ll do for the team is to provide energy and play defense,” Thirdy answered when asked what he is bringing to the Hail Mary squad. “I’ll do what ever the coach tells me to do. Providing screens, calling plays, whatever the team needs from me.” Not exactly the kinds of things you hear from a high school MVP and burgeoning collegiate superstar.

Aware of the more physical play that college basketball brings, Thirdy is already getting ready for the toil his body will likely experience. “Ganun po talaga yan e,” he stated. “I’m preparing my body already. I started lifting weights, so I’ll really try to prepare my body for all the hard-hitting and I’ll also try to play smart like my brother.”

The transition from Eaglets mentor Joe Silva to Eagles head man Bo Perasol has thus far been smooth for Thirdy. He notes, “Coach Bo is a really good coach in terms of talking to players. He talks to every single one of us kunwari may free time. It’s a really good feeling to have a coach like that kasi, as a player, I’ll know my role on the team. So I’ll just try to work on that role and hopefully, contribute to the team."

Playing in the UAAP Juniors has helped Thirdy see what the next level of basketball will bring. “’Yung crowd sa UAAP kakaiba talaga,” he said. “Hopefully I won’t crack under pressure kasi sa UAAP, the crowd is a really big factor. So I’ll just try to shut out muna yung crowd.”

Brothers in arms

The bond between brothers is always strong, and the Ravena boys are no different. When asked if Kiefer has been mentoring him, Thirdy answers in the affirmative: “He gave me a lot of advice. He told me na college is a different ballgame from high school. If I could outspeed, outpower my man in high school, I can’t do it in college because every single man that I’m defending or who is defending me is almost as big as me.

“Another thing he told me is that if you work hard, may iba ring tao diyan who is working twice as hard as you,” Thirdy recounted. “So mentality mo dapat is you always work the hardest. Isipin mo laging meron kang ka-kompetisyon. You have to outwork him every single day.”

Ready for the big time

As he took the court with Seaoil Extreme against Seaoil Mako at the Seaoil NBTC High School All-Star Game, Thirdy joined 29 other high school seniors from around the country in displaying their wares. Coach JB Sison employed a platoon substitution pattern throughout the contest, keeping Thirdy in a lineup with past and future teammate Arvin Tolentino and incoming De La Salle Green Archer Prince Rivero.

On this afternoon, the whole Thirdy Ravena arsenal was on full display. The jumpshots, post-up moves, ballhandling, assists, and blocks were there for all to see. He even finished off an alley-oop from a high lob pass on the way to MVP honors, as Extreme won 123-94. His stat line of 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and a block are the things basketball scouts dream of.

[Related: Thirdy Ravena named MVP after leading Team Extreme to win in NBTC All-Star Game]

“Nagkataon lang po,” is what he answers when asked if he was targeting the MVP award this day. “What I really wanted was to see where my game is at kasi it’s not every day that you get to play against the other top high school players from around the Philippines. So I really grabbed every opportunity that I got now. Tinodo ko, binigay ko lahat both on offense and on defense.” - AMD, GMA News