NLEX stands by Kiefer Ravena amid doping ban

Photo from NLEX’s Road Warriors’ official Facebook account.

The NLEX Road Warriors are standing by its embattled rookie Kiefer Ravena, who has tested positive for banned substances World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) List.

In a post on the team’s social media accounts, the Road Warriors vouched for Ravena’s character as an athlete with the star guard also possibly facing suspension in the PBA during his 18-month ban in Fiba competitions.

“We stand by Kiefer—our athlete, teammate, and member of the NLEX family—at this time,” the statement read.

“In the time we’ve worked with Kiefer, we have known him to be a man of integrity and honor. He has always abided by the principles of fair play and sportsmanship since he was a young boy, which he has continued to demonstrate in his career and as a role model to the youth through his civic activities.”

READ: Kiefer Ravena tests positive for banned substances, gets 18-month suspension from Fiba

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Monday announced that Ravena failed the drug test after Gilas Pilipinas’ game vs Japan in Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers last February 25.

Traces of Dimethylbutylamine, Methylhexaneamine, and Higenamine were found in Ravena’s system, substances that WADA has classified as prohibited.

Ravena believes he ingested the banned ingredients through a pre-workout drink called Dust Extreme, which is readily available in the Philippine market.

“While we as a team, do not condone the use of prohibited substances, we strongly believe that Kiefer would not knowingly take any such substance,” NLEX also said.

“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.”

The Road Warriors also said they welcome SBP’s clarification from Fiba whether Ravena’s ban, which will last until August 24, 2019, would include his stint in the PBA, where is his playing only on his first year.