MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stood firm in its decision that it discards Kiefer Ravena’s bid to suit up for the Shiga Lakestars in Japan’s B. League.
On Thursday, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial announced that the league did not grant clearance to the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles guard to go on with his desire to play for the Lakestars.
“Wala namang nagbago. Ganun pa din,” Marcial told CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk. “Nakausap ko naman siya the other day at ang sabi ko ay bawal talaga since me kontrata pa siya (with NLEX).”
Since all players like Ravena have Uniform Player Contract (UPC) with the league, Marcial added that Ravena’s wish to bolt out of the PBA to play in Japan has to be passed through a board resolution.
Marcial’s clarification came after the 27-year-old basketball star assumed that PBA and the league’s Board of Governors approved his bid, based on his statement in Facebook.
“To the PBA and the Board of Governors, thank you for always supporting me. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity you have given us athletes,” the Ilonggo guard said.
Meanwhile, the Road Warriors agreed with Marcial, saying Ravena’s is bound by the league’s existing rules and regulations.
“The NLEX Road Warriors stand by the tripartite agreement between our organization, the PBA, and the individual player, which is enshrined in the Uniform Player Contract,” it said in a statement.
Previously, the Lakestars declared that Ravena signed up for the team under the B. League’s Asian Player Quotas, making him the second Filipino to play for the tournament next to his brother, Thirdy./PN
