Ravena, Tungcab join Gilas

The seven players will be committed to render their services to the national team for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, which will start in February.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) added former Ateneo de Manila University standout Thirdy Ravena and former University of the Philippines wingman Jaydee Tungcab in its men’s national roster.

No less than Gilas Pilipinas project director Tab Baldwin tapped Ravena and Tungcab following a fruitful season in the recent University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

They will join Isaac Go and Mike and Matt Nieto of Ateneo, Allyn Bulanadi of San Sebastian College, Rey Suerte of University of the East, who were earlier named to the pool by the SBP.

Ravena, who led the Blue Eagles to three straight UAAP men’s basketball title, once played for Yeng Guiao in one of the qualifiers for the recent FIBA World Cup in China.

The second-generation cager, who averaged 14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steal in his final year with Ateneo, skipped this year’s Philippine Basketball Association rookie draft as he’s mulling a career abroad.

Meanwhile, Tungcab came in as a surprise addition as he hardly made an impact with two seasons with the Fighting Maroons.

But the six-foot-three high-flyer averaged just 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in his final season with the Fighting Maroons.

The seven players will be committed to render their services to the national team for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, which will start in February.

Gilas Pilipinas is in Group A along with Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea.