Thirdy Ravena funded Olympian Eumir Marcial's training in the U.S.

[MikeLigalig.com]

ATHLETE HELPING ANOTHER PINOY ATHLETE

Thirdy Ravena funded Olympian Eumir Marcial's training in the U.S. and didn't want it known to the public.

His own federation said no to his training trip.

Eumir Marcial, an Olympic boxer, has long received a monthly government allowance through the PSC, support that was never pulled. But when he needed backing for a specific U.S. training stint ahead of a major tournament, his own federation, ABAP, did not endorse the trip.

With that specific funding in limbo, basketball player Thirdy Ravena stepped in and covered what Marcial's own sport couldn't provide.

Marcial trained anyway and went on to win Olympic bronze, proof the gap didn't have to end his run.

Athletes are people first, carrying each other when the system falls short, so who else is quietly doing this behind the scenes?