PBA allows Kiefer Ravena to fly to Japan for B. League stint

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finally gave Kiefer Ravena the green light to play in the Japan B. League.

After their initial decision of prohibiting the NLEX Road Warriors superstar from joining the Shiga Lakestars in the B. League, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and the rest of the board re-considered.

However, Ravena should still finish the ongoing PBA 46th season before flying to Japan and play for the Lakestars.

It was also agreed that Ravena will only play one year with the Lakestars and he has to go back to the PBA after completing his season in Japan.

“Kiefer vowed that he will return. Kiefer told me that even if his salary increases, he will return. He said he just wants to experience playing internationally,” Marcial said.

A month ago, Marcial and the rest of the PBA board barred Ravena from joining the professional league in Japan after emphasizing the Uniform Players’ Contract (UPC).

Under the UPC, players who are still under active contract with the PBA are not allowed to play in other professional leagues. Upon the announcement that Ravena signed with the Lakestars in Japan, it was found out that he still has an existing maximum contract with NLEX, his mother team in the PBA.

“I’ve learned a lot since my Japanese team, the Shiga Lakestars, announced my signing with them last June 2021. Looking back, I should have sought clearance from the PBA for signing with Shiga. I apologize for any hurt feelings and stress that this has caused the PBA and to my team the NLEX Road Warriors,” said Ravena.