Fellow athletes, coaches rally behind embattled Ravena

Kiefer Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

There has been no shortage of support for Kiefer Ravena after he tested positive for prohibited substances and was suspended for 18 months by Fiba.

Fellow athletes and coaches are rallying behind Ravena, who is one of the brightest young stars in the country.

“@kieferravena has done so much for basketball in the country and deserves the benefit of the doubt. You can check out the list of banned substances here. How can anybody know this in a country with no WADA presence? #honestmistake,” Far Eastern University athletic director Mark Molina wrote on Twitter.

READ: NLEX stands by Kiefer Ravena amid doping ban 

At 24, Ravena already owns the Philippine record for the most number of gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games with four.

His college rival Jeron Teng also voiced out his support to the former Blue Eagle and fellow rookie in the PBA.

“It could have been any of us. Stay strong @kieferravena! #KiefTheFaith,” Teng, who is now playing for the Alaska Aces in the PBA, posted on Twitter.

The suspension also keeps Ravena from suiting up for the NLEX Road Warriors, who are now without their two best players with guard Kevin Alas still recovering from an ACL injury.

Behind you all the way @kieferravena 🙏🏻👊🏻🇵🇭 #WeStandByKiefer pic.twitter.com/iyBsV9OGt9

— Kevin Louie Alas (@kevinlouiealas) May 28, 2018

Rain or Shine veteran and Gilas Pilipinas teammate Gabe Norwood also gave some words of encouragement for Ravena.

Keep your head up @kieferravena!

— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) May 28, 2018

In a press conference on Monday, Ravena didn’t point fingers at anyone but himself.

READ: Kiefer Ravena clears he’s not doing illegal drugs

Ravena plans to create an advocacy that aims to bring awareness about the prohibited substances in the World Anti-Doping Agency List as a way to prevent other athletes from committing the same mistake that he did.

Take a second and look how @kieferravena is handling this challenge in his life. Admission. Explanation. Acceptance. Advocacy. Proud of you Kief. This, too, shall pass. Nothing but love and respect for you.

— Jeff Cariaso (@thejet_22) May 29, 2018

Ravena’s basketball career took a major hit but many, including his national team coach Jong Uichico and fellow Atenean athletes Gretchen Ho and Ish Polvorosa, believe he will come back better than ever.

I’ve seen how passionate, hardworking and sincere this guy is about his basketball since high school.

No doubt 💯
Got you @kieferravena. #WeStandWithKiefer pic.twitter.com/OQDHYO8mRU

— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) May 29, 2018

I stand with you, manong. @kieferravena #KiefTheFaith pic.twitter.com/r2EAXGiNmz

— Ish Polvorosa (@ishpolvorosa) May 28, 2018

A young man of tremendous character. No doubt in my mind you will fly higher after this @kieferravena! pic.twitter.com/bm9dvgFNYQ

— Jong Uichico (@coachjong) May 29, 2018