The 18-month ban on Kiefer Ravena is not just in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments, but in the Philippine Basketball Association as well.
“We will follow the FIBA ruling and we will impose our own measures also,” said Commissioner Willie Marcial following a PBA Board meeting yesterday.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio said officials from FIBA clarified that Ravena’s sanction will also include his stint in the professional league, as well.
“It is very clear in the ruling na all leagues, even events, except for activities that relate to anti-doping. It is clear he is not allowed to play in any league,” said Panlilio.
It was also decided that Ravena will not be allowed to practice with his team, but he can do workouts by himself.
As far as his status is concerned, Ravena is technically not suspended by the PBA as he has been placed on the NLEX Road Warriors reserve list.
Kiefer was banned by FIBA after he tested positive for three substances included in the list of Prohibited Substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency last February.
Ravena said he consumed a pre-workout drink called Dust during the Gilas Pilipinas-Japan game last February. He was picked for the random WADA Drug Test after the game.
The test was done after the Philippines-Japan in Manila last Feb. 25 and on the second window of the FIBA 2019 qualifiers.
During the testing, Ravena did not disclose in a form that he signed that he was taking any supplements.
A remorseful Ravena said last Monday that he made an honest mistake in taking a pre-workout drink that contained the banned supplement.
Analysis of his urine sample that was conducted in a World Anti-Doping Association accredited facility in Montreal, Canada revealed the presence substances like 4-dimethylhexan-2-amine or methylhexaneamine, along with 1, 3-dimethylbutylamine, and higenamine.
Meanwhile, a share of leadership is the aim of TNT KaTropa (4-1) when it duels with Columbian Dyip (3-3) at 4:30 p.m. in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena today.
Following this is a gigantic battle between the Bolts (3-2) and the Gin Kings (1-3) at 7 p.m. featuring the return of two-time champion import Justin Brownlee for Ginebra. Peter Atencio, Jeric Lopez
