By JONAS TERRADO
The contract situation of Matthew Wright and Kiefer Ravena’s status continue to be the hot topics days before the 47th season opens Sunday, June 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Wright’s future and the possible return of Ravena were among the main topics of yesterday’s Media Day held at Novotel Manila in Cubao, Quezon City where representatives of all 12 teams are presents.
What’s sure is Phoenix has Wright for the season-opening Philippine Cup. What’s not sure is whether he’ll be around following the conference.
His three-year contract is set to expire August, and there’s talk that Wright is dead-set on heading overseas to sign a lucrative contract for a team in Japan’s B.League.
But Wright would rather not cause a situation that may affect Phoenix’s campaign.
“To be honest, i don’t want to distract the team,” Wright said. “As much as I hate to say it, but everyone’s asking and everyone wants to know.
“But I just want everyone to know that I’m gonna be their teammate, I’m gonna be their locker room guy and I’m gonna give my 100 percent,” he added.
There’s still no resolution in negotiations between Ravena and NLEX management as the season is close to unfurl.
Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao bared that management have offered Ravena a one-year contract that will allow him to play all three conferences.
Ravena, however, is looking at a one-conference deal before flying back to the Land of Rising Sun to ink a fresh pact with the Shiga Lakestars.
“The ball is on their court (Ravena’s camp),” said Guiao. “It’s up to them to agree on the offer or not.”
The PBA allowed Ravena to play for Shiga last year, on the condition that he will return at the end of the 2021-22 B.League season. League officials, however, are waiting on the result of negotiations before deciding on Ravena’s status.
“We appreciate his sincerity to come back and play for us,” added Guiao, who has seen Ravena take part in NLEX practices despite the situation.
