Advertisement

Thirdy Ravena joins older brother Kiefer in Ateneo

Arvin Tolentino with teammates Thirdy Ravena, Prince Rivero, and Kobe Paras

The Ravenas have finally decided that they won’t do a Teng. Thirdy Ravena expressed his decision to join his brother Kiefer as the Ateneo Blue Eagles seek to bounce back after missing the Final Four during the last UAAP season.

The incoming freshman announced his decision to join his brother with the Blue Eagles through Twitter.

"Of course I'm very happy we'll be together, playing for the same team. I'm happier for my parents because I know they're excited to see us as teammates," Kiefer told Yahoo Sports Philippines through SMS. "Who knows this might be a once in a lifetime chance that we'll be on the same team so I'm very happy that it will actually happen."

Jeron and Jeric Teng captivated the basketball-crazy country with their rivalry that reached the finals of the UAAP. They became household names in a short span and they are now enjoying the fruits of their labor with multiple endorsements.

The Ravenas could have done things using the Tengs' blueprint but they figured that playing alongside each other was more important.

Thirdy is the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player of the Juniors Division. They lost to the National University Bullpups in the finals. He averaged 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, even notching triple-doubles, en route to winning the individual award that his older brother failed to win.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are currently re-tooling after their five-year UAAP reign was ended without them getting a chance to defend it in the finals. They lost Ryan Buenafe, Frank Golla, and Poy Erram to graduation but the UAAP Juniors MVP will surely plug a lot of holes in Ateneo's line-up.

Ateneo also hired Ricky Dandan and Ronnie Magsanoc to be head coach Bo Perasol's assistants.