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          NeoPhoenix: Thirdy Ravena tests positive for COVID-19

          Nov 27, 2020
          • Philip Matel

          San-En NeoPhoenix guard Thirdy Ravena has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolated in his apartment, the team announced on Friday evening.

          Ravena complained of a sore throat, body malaise, and a 38.2°C fever to the team's medical staff on Thursday, and was subsequently tested.

          "On the morning of November 26th (Thursday), he reported that he was in poor physical condition, and when the temperature was measured, a fever of 38.2 ° C was confirmed," said the team in a statement.

          "Therefore, he reported to the Toyohashi City Health Center and at a designated medical institution under the direction of the Health Center," it added.

          Confirmatory tests in a medical facility in Toyohashi said that the 23-year-old indeed had the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

          In his latest report to the team on Friday, the Filipino rising star's temperature had fortunately dropped to 36.9°C, while his sore throat had subsided. Moreover, he said that his sense of taste and smell had returned.

          The team had taken the RT-PCR test last Monday, and all had negative results on Tuesday. San-En then had a tune-up match against Kanazawa Samuraiz at the OSG Gymnasium.

          On Thursday morning, Ravena reported his flu-like symptoms. After recording the 38.2°C fever, team practice was suspended immediately.

          Thirdy's mother, Mozzy, confirmed to ESPN5.com that her son had indeed felt better on Thursday. His father, TNT coach Bong Ravena, on the other hand, said that Thirdy is continuing his workouts to keep himself in shape during the two-week quarantine period.

          Currently, the team is conducting contact tracing, both within San-En and among their opponents.

          Ravena is averaging 12 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 23.7 minutes for the NeoPhoenix, which sports a 2-13 slate. He is expected to miss the team's next game, a road game against the Shimane Susanoo Magic on Dec. 2.

          On Saturday morning, Ravena posted a tweet saying he was feeling better already but still had to quarantine himself indefinitely in line with health protocols. He also urged his followers not to take the virus for granted.