By Adrian Stewart Co

Ateneo de Manila University star Ferdinand ‘Thirdy’ Ravena III recently received a call up by the Philippine men’s national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, to play in the ongoing 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Gilas head coach Joseller ‘Yeng’ Guiao said the Iloilo City native has a chance at cracking the 12-man lineup.

“We are investing in the next generation of players,” he explained. “It’s a chance for them – an opportunity to improve; an opportunity for them to prepare themselves if they don’t make it for the next generation [of] the national team.”

Gilas are currently fourth place in Group F, which means qualification is incumbent on how they compare to the fourth place team in Group E, Lebanon. The Philippines is currently trialing with a 5-5 record, while their Lebanese counterparts hold a 6-4 record. Their upcoming games against Qatar and Kazakhstan are must-wins to clinch qualification./ASC, WDJ