HINDI naman pababayaan ng pamunuan ng NLEX Road Warriors si Kiefer Ravena sa kinakaharap nitong problema hinggil sa paggamit ng performance-enhancing substance.

Inihayag ng pamunuan ng NLEX ang pagsuporta sa kanilang ace rookie pagkaraang suspindehin ng international basketball body matapos magpositibo sa random drug test sa larop ng Gilas Pilipinas kontra Japan sa second window ng FIBA World Cup Qualifiers nitong Pebrero.

“We stand by Kiefer — our athlete, teammate, and member of the NLEX family — at this time,” pahayag ng pamunuan ng Road Warriors sa kanilang statement.

Ayon pa sa statement, walang malay si Ravena na may taglay na ipinagbabawal na substance ang pre-workout drink na ‘Dust’ na kanyang ininom bago ang laban.

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“The pre-workout aid that Kiefer took is completely legal in the Philippines and readily available at supplement stores around the country. The instance identified by FIBA was the first time that Kiefer tried the said pre-workout aid,” pahayag ng NLEX.

“Kiefer has been using a pre-workout supplement which has passed prior testing, but it was not available at the time. Upon the recommendation that the product in question was similar, and because it had comparable packaging, there was a simple lapse of judgment in not inquiring further about the specific ingredients,” nakasaad pa sa statement.

“And since it was readily available to the general public, Kiefer did not realize that it contained a substance specified to be prohibited in FIBA competition. In addition, Kiefer has passed multiple drug tests conducted by the PBA since the time he joined the league, and has also passed previous tests conducted by the SBP and GAB. It was an honest mistake. We believe this does not reflect Kiefer’s character in any way,” anila.

Dahil dito ay pinatawan si Ravena ng FIBA ng 18 buwang suspension at pinagbawalang makalaro sa FIBA sanctioned tournament sa panahon ng kaparusahan.

Gayunman, hindi pa malinaw kung epektibo o ipapatupad din ng PBA ang nasabing suspensiyon.

“We support the SBP’s action to seek clarification with FIBA regarding the ruling with regards to whether the suspension will apply to the PBA. We will respect and uphold whatever the final decision will be.”