The Ateneo star said in the said letter that he will not be able to join the rookie draft and his contract will last until at least 2022-2023.

While PBA commissioner Willie Marcial averred that Thirdy is not trying to avoid the ‘draft dodger’ as he already passed the PBA draft for two years now.

“There is no action needed over anything he said,” Marcial said. 

“Thirdy just explained his situation and the setbacks he went through and how he’s OK over there with the Japan league. I don’t have anything to comment beyond that,” he added.

Also, in an interview of Marcial with Spin.ph, Thirdy affirmed that he wanted to improve himself more as he was not able to do so last season due to his injuries.

“Ang dami nangyari sa season niya dun mula sa COVID hanggang sa injuries kaya gusto pa niyang patunayan ang sarili niya.”

And the 6-foot-3 cager added that Japan B.League will help him to grow more as a player.

Nonetheless, Marcial expressed his hopes to Ravena saying that “Congratulations to Thirdy. Good for him.”