DOHA, Qatar -- Playing for the national team in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers is a dream come true for Thirdy Ravena.
The 22-year-old Ravena posted about this dream on Twitter four years ago, saying what a great honor it would be to play for the national team in 2019. At that time, it was nothing but an unassuming wish.
"It's a great feeling. I really didn't expect from the time when I tweeted it that I would actually be part of the lineup," Ravena said on Wednesday after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced his inclusion to the 12-man lineup against Qatar.
What a great honor to play for the country in the #FIBA2019 games. #DreamLang
— Thirdy (@ThirdyRavenaaa) August 7, 2015
The Ateneo star will be the first collegiate player to suit up in a FIBA tournament since the SBP started tapping professional players for the Gilas program.
"I want to celebrate it but right now, I don't have time because it's a big responsibility to prepare as best as we can," he said. "We have to get the job done first. If we win, there's always time to celebrate."
It's definitely business as usual for Ravena, who has been impressing his teammates and the Filipino fans in Doha with his veteran moves during practice sessions. One time, he jumped over the triple tower of Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, and June Mar Fajardo to complete a two-handed putback slam.
"Those moments just come naturally, I was surprised myself when it happened," said Ravena on his viral dunk. "I think for me, that's who I am as a player. I really give it my all even in practices."
Eager to prove his worth in his first stint with the seniors' team, Ravena has been working hard to prepare for the defensive role that the coaches assigned to him.
"For this game, coach Yeng [Guiao] really wanted me to be prepared in defending the best player of their team, the best guard," shared Ravena. "Right now, I'm just trying to do the best that I can to be prepared, (reviewing) the scouting report and the tendencies of who I'm gonna guard during the game."
The daunting task of sweeping the final window of the qualifiers may be intimidating for a young collegiate player, but Ravena refuses to get overwhelmed as he finally gets the chance to realize his lifelong dream.
"Just like any other Filipino player, my dream is to represent the country because that's the highest form that you can do in terms of playing basketball," he said. "We've prepared since three weeks ago for this specific game against Qatar and Kazakhstan. All of my older brothers are ready for sure. They already know what it's like. I just have to be ready myself."