Vargas urges Kiefer to stay away from game
PBA chairman and POC president Ricky Vargas has advised Kiefer Ravena to stay away from the game in the meantime after both the national cage federation and the pro league decided to abide by the FIBA ruling on his 18-month suspension after a failed doping test.
“If I were Kiefer, I won’t risk it,” said Vargas in reaction to wild proposals that Ravena may be free to play in some leagues that are not under FIBA.
“Don’t throw a line. Stay away from it. We don’t want him to test the waters,” Vargas also said.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, meanwhile, insists that Ravena won’t be idle as his ball club and the national federation will help him embark on a mission to spread awareness on the substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
He actually started his personal crusade to raise awareness of banned substances, particularly performance-enhancing drugs, as he distributed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list to some of the national athletes in a meeting at the PLDT office in Makati the other day.
“We’ll document what Ravena would be doing and we’ll continue to try down the road (to appeal the player’s case),” said Panlilio.
“Di muna ngayon because there’s a definitive answer on the clarification we sought. And in fairness to FIBA, the decision was well thought of, very clear and they observed due process,” Panlilio also said.
But practically the whole Philippine basketball community stands with Ravena as it was clear he failed the doping test by accident.