Push Admin

Kiefer Ravena thanks NLEX, PBA for ‘blessing’ to join Shiga

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/06/02/fiba_phi_ravenas.jpg"/></figure></div><h3>Despite thank-you message, no confirmation yet that PBA and NLEX gave their OK</h3><p>Kiefer Ravena on Wednesday wrote a message of thanks to his NLEX team supporting his decision to sign with Japan&#x27;s B.League&#x27;s Shiga Lakestars. </p><p>In a statement, Ravena said he appreciates the &quot;blessing&quot; he received from NLEX management for the &quot;next stage of his career.&quot; </p><p>&quot;I would also like to thank my NLEX Road Warriors Family and Management. To Boss MVP, Boss Rod Franco, Boss Ronald, Coach Yeng and all my teammates, maraming salamat,&quot; Ravena <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kieferravena1515/posts/4449797325039181" target="_blank">said on Facebook</a>. </p><p>&quot;The support you have given me all throughout my stay has given me nothing but joy and great memories. Our dream of winning a championship will always be there. I am and will always be proud of this family. </p><p>&quot;Thank you for giving me your blessing and backing me in this next stage of my career.&quot; </p><p>Ravena also thanked the PBA for &quot;always supporting him.&quot;</p><p>Whether NLEX, the PBA and Ravena have sorted the issue — hours after the PBA clarified that Ravena was breaking the rules by transferring to another league — was not clear as of posting time. </p><p>At the time this story was posted, NLEX and the PBA have not come out with statements agreeing to Ravena&#x27;s exit from the league.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/02/21/pba-kiefer-ravena-bleague">Can the PBA stop Kiefer Ravena from playing in Japan?</a></li></ul><p>An NLEX statement hours prior said team management was all for Ravena chasing his basketball dreams, but that it was leaving the matter up to the PBA.</p><p>&quot;We understand and support Kiefer’s desire for personal advancement. However, as a member of the PBA, we are duty bound to abide by the rules and regulations that govern the league,&quot; NLEX said in a statement posted on the <a href="https://arangkadanlex.com/2021/06/02/statement-from-the-nlex-road-warriors-organization-regarding-kiefer-ravenas-japan-engagement/" target="_blank">team website</a>.  </p><p>&quot;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.&quot;</p><p>PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the league&#x27;s rules bar Ravena from signing with a different club in a different league.</p><p>&quot;Hindi pwede,&quot; Marcial told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.</p><p>Marcial said he and Ravena had &quot;informal talks&quot; Tuesday regarding this development, and he informed the player that it was against the PBA&#x27;s rules and regulations.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/02/21/kiefer-ravena-shiga-lakestars-bleague">Kiefer Ravena signs with Shiga Lakestars in Japan&#x27;s B.League</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Kasi may UPC (uniform player contract) sa atin. May kontrata sa atin eh. So, masasabi ko lang, hindi pupwede,&quot; he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ravena also thanked Shiga Lakestars for signing him.</p><p>&quot;I would like to thank my team, Shiga Lakestars, for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thank you for the trust and belief that a Filipino can perform and play in such a prestigious league. Domo arigatou gozaimasu,&quot; he said.</p><p>Ravena also assured Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the sport&#x27;s national governing body, that he will remain committed to the Gilas Pilipinas program and will suit up for the team if needed.</p><p>He also urged fans to support him in Japan B.League.</p><p>&quot;Lastly, to the fans, I hope you join me in this journey. I am proud to carry the flag and to say that I am a Filipino. I will continue to give glory to my countrymen and women in any way I can. Please continue to support me.&quot;</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1677752" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Kiefer Ravena has sent a message of thanks to his PBA team NLEX for supporting his decision to sign with Japan's B.League's Shiga Lakestars.</p>

Kiefer Ravena has sent a message of thanks to his PBA team NLEX for supporting his decision to sign with Japan's B.League's Shiga Lakestars.