RAVENA SEES BUMPY ROAD
PBA board holds key to Kiefer’s Japan stint
The road to Japan will be bumpy for Kiefer Ravena.
Noted player agent Charlie Dy said the fate of Ravena is in the hands of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board of governors, making it difficult for him to transfer to Shiga Lakestars in the Japan B. League.
Ravena rocked the league to its foundation after signing a deal with the Japanese club.
Moments after the announcement, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial reminded him that there could be a legal consequence to his action since he still has a live contract with NLEX.
Ravena signed a three-year deal with NLEX only last September and there is no exit clause based on the Uniform Player’s Contract (UPC).
NLEX reiterated Marcial’s claim, saying that it is standing by its tripartite agreement with Ravena and the league in accordance to the UPC that will run until 2023.
“The Japan engagement of Kiefer will need to conform to the terms of the UPC as well as the rules and policies of the PBA,” the Road Warriors said in a statement released late Wednesday.
I believe he still needs the approval from the PBA board.
Dy, who handles the careers of prominent players like Chris Ross, Kevin Alas, Baser Amer and Sean Anthony, agrees, asserting that there is no exit clause in the UPC.
“I believe he still needs the approval from the PBA board,” Dy said.
“There is really no exit clause in the UPC of the PBA. We all know that all teams are bound to their commitments with the league.”
Dy said Marcial’s initial stand on Ravena’s possible transfer is already an indication that he will have a hard time before joining his younger brother, Thirdy, in Japan.
Thirdy is the first Filipino basketball player in the B. League.
Despite his rollercoaster performance last season, he was still rewarded by the San-En NeoPhoenix with a multi-year contract, pitting him against Ravena if and when his bid to see action in Japan pushes through.
“We’re not sure if the PBA commissioner will change his stand on this issue. But looking at the situation, I don’t think the PBA will change its position.”
Another seasoned agent in Danny Espiritu also backed Dy’s opinion, saying that Ravena is now at the mercy of the PBA board of governors headed by Ricky Vargas of TNT Tropang Giga — the sister team of NLEX.
“Regarding this topic, we haven’t discussed anything about the PBA’s decision. There must be some meetings to discuss whatever possibility that would happen,” Espiritu said.
“The only thing we know right now is the content of the UPC. We still don’t know what they final decision of the PBA and that’s something we have to wait.”