The Philippine Basketball Association is waiting for Kiefer Ravena and NLEX to finish their negotiations before coming up with a decision on the star guard’s situation.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the 29-year-old had already sent a letter to his office expressing intentions to return to the Philippine Cup, but would want to hear the Road Warriors’ take first before making resolutions.
“Sumulat na sa’kin si Kiefer, noong weekend. Sabi ko tignan natin,” he said during the preseason press conference, Monday at Conrad Manila.
“Hinihintay na lang natin ‘yung pag-uusap nila with NLEX, tapos ie-elevate ko sa board. Kasi board din ang nag-desisyon kung ano y’ung sitwasyon ni Kiefer, kung papayagan nila. I-elevate ko sa board kung anong pinaka-maganda.”
Chairman Ricky Vargas echoed the sentiments of the league chieftain. “I leave that to NLEX to deal with their player, who’s Kiefer,” he offered.
“I think Kiefer has made promises and they’re dealing with it, so NLEX should be able to come out of it. Then we will discuss in the board what’s best for the player and what’s best for all of us,” furthered the TNT team governor.
Ravena is essentially in a one-year rental with B.League club Shiga as a compromise with the PBA, and could face sanctions should he not honor that.
But with him planning to return for at least one conference, the board will have to sit down and discuss things anew on what it will do, as more and more questions have surrounded the Ateneo great with his planned move.
It has been reported that the Lakestars are offering Ravena a contract extension following a solid debut year in the Japanese league with per-game averages of 12.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals.
(C) B.League
“Sumulat sa akin na maglalaro na siya. Pero aalis ulit siya pagkalaro ng first conference. So, counted ba ‘yun,” Marcial said. “Papaalisin ba natin o doon na siya, tapos saka siya babalik? O aalis siya, pipinahan natin?
“‘Yun ang kailangan pag-desisyunan na ginawa din nga namin ng board. Kailangan mag-usap-usap ang board.”
