Kiefer Ravena will not face any sanctions from the Philippine Basketball Association for signing a contract with B.League team Shiga Lakestars despite having a live contract with the NLEX Road Warriors.
However, NLEX will be handed a sanction which was not disclosed by league commissioner Willie Marcial as it allowed their player to sign with a non-PBA member team.
“Hindi ko na sasabihin kung magkano yung amount,” said Marcial.
“Yan ang pinagusapan ng board na agreeable si NLEX. Tapos pinayagan e, parang ganun yung tono e.”
“As you know NLEX is a member of the PBA so we are bound by its rules. As you heard earlier, we have been giving Kiefer our support. But the support is conditional. Regardless, we acknowledge that Kiefer signed with Shiga when he had an existing contract with Shiga,” shared NLEX’s legal counsel Atty. JD Garcia.
“Having a live contract with us and signing with Shiga is something that caused this whole fiasco. We acknowledge our mistake that is why we are here, that is why we agreed and approached the PBA for an amicable settlement. We acknowledge the fine that the league will impose on NLEX.”
Ravena though will not be allowed to renew his contract with Shiga once the 2021-22 season of the B.League ends.
This as NLEX will terminate Ravena’s existing NLEX contract which still has two years left once the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup ends.
Once he returns, he will be given a fresh contract.
“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.
“May mga sanction ako na sinabi kay Kiefer pag hindi siya bumalik. Sabi ni Kiefer sa akin, ‘Comm, kahit tumaas yung suweldo ko, hindi naman ito tungkol sa pera. Babalik ako.’ Gusto ko lang ma-experience yung international,” said Marcial, adding that Ravena’s commitment to return is written and binding.
Ravena will leave the country after NLEX’s Philippine Cup campaign ends.
“In addition lang, we signed an agreement also. We will terminate the existing contract with Kiefer. Part of his commitment is to return to NLEX after one year,” said Dulatre.
He will continue to play with NLEX until our last playing date.
