SBP aims to create positive change after Ravena issue
WHILE it rues the unfortunate banning for 18 months of Gilas Pilipinas player Kiefer Ravena by FIBA for failing a doping test, the country’s basketball federation said it is determined to turn the episode into a positive by creating more awareness for banned substances for athletes.
Meeting members of media on Monday night at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) officials confirmed speculations of Mr. Ravena failing a random drug test and the consequent year-and-a-half ban imposed on him by the world basketball governing body.
Under the decision released by FIBA on May 22, Mr. Ravena is barred from competing in FIBA- sanctioned tournaments from Feb. 25, 2018, the date when urine samples were taken from him, to Aug. 24, 2019.
According to details of the ruling, Mr. Ravena tested positive for three ingredients prohibited by the World AntiDoping Agency ( WADA), namely, 4-methylhexan-2-amine (methylhexaneamine), 1,3- dimethylbutylamine ( DMBA), and higenamine, from urine samples taken from him after the Gilas game against Japan at the Mall of Asia Arena on Feb. 25, 2018 during the second window for the qualifiers in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Mr. Ravena said the substances were found in the pre-warmup supplement he took.
SBP was quick to say though that the said substances are not illegal in the country and can be bought over the counter but are prohibited under the WADA list.
The basketball federation also said that games played by Gilas in the qualifiers where Mr. Ravena suited up in were not affected by the suspension and Gilas’ 3-1 record in the ongoing FIBA World Cup qualifiers would stay as is.
WAKE-UP CALL
Wishing that the turn of events did not happen, SBP nonetheless said it is taking it head-on and being transparent as well as finding ways to come out of it better as an organization.
“This is a wake-up call for all of us. We will come up with an advocacy, an awareness program to make all athletes aware. We’ll use Kiefer in our thrust for we believe he is the best ambassador for this,” said SBP President Al Panlilio during the press conference.
“We’ll use him to share his experiences, talk to other athletes on what not to do and what they should do,” added the SBP official.
Mr. Panlilio underscored that an awareness campaign would entail a lot of effort from all stakeholders and concerned but something that needs to be done to avoid a repeat of what happened to Mr. Ravena.
“FIBA’s list of banned substances is very thick. But ignorance is not an excuse,” Mr. Panlilio said.
In the press conference, Mr. Panlilio was joined by Mr. Ravena, SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny Pangilinan, Executive Director Sonny Barrios and Philippine Basketball Association chairman and Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas, among others.