THIRDY Ravena landed in Japan last Thursday but his much-awaited debut in the Japan B. League has to wait a little bit more.
After missing San-En’s first six matches, the high-flying Ravena still needs to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine before he could play.
The 6-foot-2 former Ateneo “King Eagle” and Gilas Pilipinas training pool member watched helplessly as San-En reeled to a 0-6 card over the weekend.
The NeoPhoenix absorbed a 54-81 beating at the hands of Toyoma last Saturday and a 57-91 drubbing anew to the same opponent yesterday.
Ravena, 23, will likely be able to finally play when the NeoPhoenix clash with the Shimane Susanoo Magic on Nov. 7 and 8.
He was supposedly set to go to Japan last July but failed to get a Japanese visa on time.
Ravena started working on his visa last Oct. 1 after the Japanese embassy closed from March to August due to the health perils posed by the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the office opened anew last Sept. 1, diplomats and those applying for permanent residence were prioritized.
The first Filipino and Asian who signed as an import under the league’s Asian quotas initiative, Ravena led the Blue Eagles to the last three UAAP titles where he was named finals MVP in each season.
Ravena opted to skip last year’s pro league draft despite being projected as likely the top pick overall.
