NLEX rookie star tested positive for banned substance
By Jonas Terrado
Kiefer Ravena has been handed an 18-month suspension by FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, after testing positive for a banned substance from a pre-workout drink the NLEX star rookie admitted taking for the first time.
Ravena and key Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials confirmed the FIBA sanction in a press conference yesterday in Mandaluyong City after rumors swirled in the aftermath of his sudden pullout from Sunday’s PBA All-Star Week in Iloilo City.
Present were SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan, President Al Panlilio, Executive Director Sonny Barrios and Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas, who also serves as this season’s PBA Chairman.
The former Ateneo star tested positive after undergoing a random drug test following Gilas Pilipinas’ victory over Japan in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena last Feb. 25.
A test on Sample A turned out positive in mid-March, prompting Ravena and the SBP to ask WADA to open Sample B, which had the same result. Both samples were taken on the same day.
Panlilio said the three substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency came from a drink known as DUST, which a FIBA letter signed by Disciplinary Panel President Eleonora Rangelova stated was used by Ravena without knowledge of its contents.
“I take full responsibility for my actions despite how painful the rule is,” said Ravena. “I regret taking this pre-workout drink without analyzing and taking extra time to know what the ingredients are.”
The same FIBA letter said that Ravena will serve his suspension until Aug. 24, 2019, though the SBP has sent a letter seeking clarification on his PBA status.
The ruling, however, signified that Ravena is banned from “all basketball-related activities,” the same reason why the SBP pulled him from the All-Star Game in Iloilo to avoid possible technicalities.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has yet to issue a statement regarding Ravena’s status, though Vargas said it will abide by the ruling.
“We cannot suspend because there’s no rule as far as the PBA is concerned,” said Vargas. “However, we are also of SBP and the SBP is a member of FIBA so we will abide with FIBA and SBP.”
Meanwhile, SBP legal counsel Aga Francisco said the test result will not affect the outcome of Gilas’ victory of Japan, meaning that the Philippines will stay in second place in Group A of the qualifiers at 3-1.
Concerns of a forfeiture surfaced after the news came out, though sources familiar to the situation allayed fears of such punishment.
Vargas said he was saddened about Ravena’s suspension.
“While we in the POC remain steadfast in our support of the IOC’s uncompromising stance on the use of performance-enhancing substances, I understand that Kiefer took a pre-workout drink, completely unaware that it contained an ingredient that would result in this unfortunate situation. The said drink is available over the counter and is sold freely to the public,” said Vargas.
“This is obviously an innocent act by a national player who has never been known to act in defiance of any rules. However, I understand that WADA provisions are very stringent on these matters. I therefore appeal to all national sports associations to be constantly aware of the dire consequences of a lack of awareness and education on what substances are to be avoided,” he added.