Thirdy Ravena (File photo)
MANILA – Japan-based B.League announced on Monday that San-En's Filipino reinforcement Thirdy Ravena will play in its All-Star Game next month.
Ravena will play for the B.League White Team due to the league's recommendation.
He is the only NeoPhoenix chosen to the All-Star Game, which will take place in Mito.
Joining him in the White Team is former San Miguel import and now Japanese national team naturalized center Nick Fazekas, who was chosen as a starter through fan vote.
Four players from Kawasaki were actually chosen to the All-Star Game.
Joining Fazekas at the start is Ryusei Shinoyama, while Keisuke Masuda and Naoto Tsuji will come off the bench.
Their head coach, Kenji Sato, will coach the White Team.
Completing the White Team are Chiba's Yuki Togashi, Sebas Saiz, and Gavin Edwards, Hokkaido's Jordan Taylor, Mikawa's Kosuke Kanamaru, who was chosen as the team captain after getting the most fan votes for his team, and Avi Schafer, and Ryukyu's Narito Namizato.
Meanwhile, former National Basketball Association player Yuta Tabuse will headline the B.League Black Team.
Tabuse is one of four Utsonomiya players chosen to start for the Black Team.
However, only Ryan Rossiter, the designated skipper, and Jeff Gibbs will get to play in the All-Star Game barring injuries as national team player Makoto Hiejima was ruled out of the event due to his injury.
A replacement player for Hiejima will be announced at a later date.
Toyoma Grouse Julian Mavunga is the only non-Brex player chosen by the fans to start for the Black Team, while teammate Richard Solomon will join as a reserve.
Completing the squad are Tokyo's Yutaro Suda and Daiki Tanaka, Shibuya's Leo Vendrame, Nagoya's Takumi Saito, Hiroshima's Isaiah Murphy, and Ibaraki's Atsunobu Hirao.
A 13th player for each team will be chosen through social media, and the results will be announced on Wednesday.
Tokyo coach Luka Pavicevic will mentor the Black Team. (PNA)
