MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) disallowed Kiefer Ravena from playing for the Shiga Lakestars in the Japanese B.League.
This came after its Board of Governors ruled with finality that Ravena must honor his recently-signed three-year contract with the NLEX Road Warriors.
“We came out with this decision that it is best that we strictly follow the policy of not breaking contracts as we felt that there were more negatives if we allow such to happen,” according to PBA chairman Ricardo Vargas on Saturday.
“It was very difficult for us, the officers of the PBA, to sit through this discussion as well but this is the final decision,” he added.
On the other hand, PBA vice-chairman Bobby Rosales said the PBA Board studied Ravena’s situation from all angles and added that allowing the Ilonggo cager to play in Japan could set a bad precedent.
“The contract is a legal document that should not be broken. We don’t like the consequences and avoid the consequences if a contract is broken. We just hope that the party concerned will realize the sanctity of a contract,” the PBA official said.
The PBA will notify the B.League about its ruling in the coming days while also relaying the verdict to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which coordinates international player transfers with the International Basketball Federation.
Previously, the Lakestars announced its acquisition of Ravena under Japan B. League’s Asian Player Quota rule.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial quickly thumbed down Ravena’s bid since the latter inked a Uniform Players Contract with NLEX and the league that remains binding.
“I know how much the fans want him to play there. We want that, too. But there’s a contract that should be followed. It’s basic. He’s under a contract. We really can’t let this situation pass,” he said./PN
