By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the most highly-anticipated players who will suit up in the upcoming Japan B. League All-Star game and Slam Dunk contest will be out.
Thirdy Ravena of the San-en NeoPhoenix confirmed that he won’t be able to reach fully-healed status when All-Star week season comes after injuring his right hand. The team then confirmed that it was a right fourth finger metacarpal oblique fracture and may take an estimated six to eight weeks to heal.
“With the help of my ever supportive teammates and our hardworking team staff at San-En, I am fully focused on getting back and making sure I return fitter and stronger than ever,” Ravena said.
The whole B. League was hyped after Ravena’s confirmation in joining the Slam Dunk contest, seeing his leaping ability in his UAAP and Gilas highlights and even showed flashes of his athleticism in Japan.
Meanwhile, the stacked All-Star game will also be missed by the Asian import, having the chance to play with the most dominant imports in the league and former members of the Japanese national team that Gilas battled several times during their FIBA campaign.
As of now, NeoPhoenix and Ravena’s goal is to get him back in shape and make sure that the right fourth finger injury will heal before the season ends. Ravena will most likely miss at least 10 games for the NeoPhoenix given that the maximum recovery period for him will go as long as eight weeks.
“I’ll be taking this time to realign and refocus so that I can give you the best version of myself the next time I step on the court,” added Ravena.
