After becoming the first Filipino basketball player to compete in the Japan B.League, Thirdy Ravena is now aiming to become the first Filipino to play in the Euroleague.

Thirdy said during a contract signing with ArenaPlus on Friday that, should everything fall into place, his second season with Dubai BC could see him join one of the most competitive leagues in the world outside of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The 28-year-old guard was accompanied by Akari libero Dani Ravena, Yokohama B. Corsairs guard Kiefer Ravena, and TNT assistant coach Bong Ravena as they were announced as the newest endorsers of the local gaming app.

“We’re officially joining the Euroleague next year. So that’s very exciting and hopefully we make it happen,” Thirdy said.

“My agent told me to give him two or three weeks to lay everything out for me. So I’m still in that window of waiting for what offers will come and whether or not the team would want me to resign for next year.”

“If I ever do get to play in the Euroleague and be named the first ever Asian in Euroleague history to play, not just Filipino, it’s a big pressure, but a big privilege.”

Dubai will be one of the three teams to make their Euroleague debut in the 2025-2026 season, along with Valencia Basket of Spain and Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel.

The Euroleague was home to European basketball stars Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama before they took their talents to the NBA.