KAAGAD naman ang pagtugon ni Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra hingil sa kaganapan ng pagpositibo sa illegal na substance ni PBA basketball star Kiefer Ravena.
Ayon kay Mitra, hihintayin nila ang kompirmadong report hingil sa naturang isyu, ngunit, may kapangyarihan ang GAB na bawian ng lisensya ang NLEX star player kung mapapatunayan na nalabag niya ang mga panuntunan at probisyon na ipinatutupad ng ahensya para sa mga professional players.
“On the unconfirmed reports that Gilas Pilipinas Kiefer Ravena failed drugs testing during the FIBA World Cup Qualifier, the Board will look into reports that Kiefer Ravena of Gilas tested positive for banned substances in a random drug test. First, the reports have yet to be confirmed. Second, the test were not done under our auspices,” pahayag ni Mitra.
“It will be unfair to the athlete and his team to speculate. We have to investigate on our own. A lot is at stake and we must not rush into a conclusion without finding out the truth. Ravena could face a suspension from international play or revocation of the license issued to him by the GAB. We assure the sporting community, that the GAB will file the appropriate cases or sanctions if and when violations are proven.”
Ang GAB ang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na sumasaklaw sa lahat ng professiobnal sports sa bansa tulad ng basketball, boxing, volleyball at iba pang contact sports.
-EDWIN ROLLON