The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) handed out its verdict with regards to Kiefer Ravena, Monday evening. In its statement, Ravena is suspended from basketball activities for 18 months — retroactively starting last February 25, 2017 and will end on August 24, 2019 — after testing positive for World Anti-Doping Agency-banned substances.
With this, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas — on behalf of Ravena and the NLEX Road Warriors — is seeking clarification for whether this includes his career as a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association.
According to the legal counsel of the SBP, Atty. Aga Francisco, the SBP is accredited by FIBA. Thus, the rules of FIBA applies to the SBP and its stakeholders, which includes the PBA.
Waiting for FIBA’s response to their inquiry, the SBP had to pull Ravena out last Sunday during the PBA’s All-Star Game.
“The rules are very clear, that is why we had to pull out Kiefer since we are still seeking clarification from FIBA,” SBP president Al Panlilio disclosed. “In fact, we just released a letter to Geneva.
“We need clarification since this is Kiefer’s livelihood.”
For his part, Ravena shared that he had already taken part in the league’s drug testing protocol a few months ago and he was able to pass it.
“I’ve been tested with the league’s random drug test and they turned out to be negative,” Ravena disclosed.
The Road Warriors, though not withdrawing their support for their super rookie, are already preparing for life without him as he is set to miss the remainder of the 43rd Season of the league and the majority of Season 44.
“Definitely. It will have a profound effect on our team,” NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao told CNN’s Sportsdesk. “He is our team’s leaders, his peers has accepted that.
“After losing Kevin Alas to injury, now this is happening to Kiefer, we are really devastated and sad.”
Still, the SBP and Ravena are clinging to the slim hope that his suspension will not cover his PBA career.
“I think he’s suffered enough.
“He’s been very honest in the process, he’s been very candid, and his behavior is examplary. Talagang honest mistake, he bought it over the counter,” expressed Panlilio.
“Well, with the process for seeking clarification of hoping to lessen or even just allow me to play in the PBA,” Ravena closed.
