Kiefer Ravena is now a full-time Lakestar.
Ravena has secured his letter of clearance from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to play in the B.League after a formal release from NLEX.
The development was confirmed to Tiebreaker Times by Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Willie Marcial on Saturday.
“Nag-okay na ‘yung NLEX kaya okay na rin sa PBA Board,” the amiable sports executive said.
Ravena will also no longer be bound by the league’s uniform player contract (UPC).
“Alam ko nabigyan na nila ng clearance, at na-course na rin sa amin.”
Last July, Ravena was able to get the blessing of the PBA to play in the B.League even though he had a year left in his existing NLEX contract.
The Road Warriors, who were fined an undisclosed amount, will have to release Ravena from his current contract so that he can play for Shiga. Once he returns next year, NLEX will still have the rights to Ravena.
With this, Ravena will no longer need to return to the country next week when NLEX squares off against the twice-to-beat armed Meralco in the 2021 Honda Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Kiefer can now focus on his showdown with brother Thirdy as Shiga faces San-En on October 2 and 3.
Photo by @kieferravena
The Ateneo product, who was drafted as the second overall pick in the 2017 Draft, will not be allowed to renew with Shiga once the season is over.
“If he does not return to the Philippines, that’s when the 27-year-old combo guard will be handed a sanction by the league,” said NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre during a press conference last July.
