Gilas Pilipinas guard Kiefer Ravena underwent a drug test that Fiba ordered a day after the Nationals arrived in China for the 2019 World Cup, a report from ESPN5 said.
It was a curious episode for Ravena, who recently finished an 18-month suspension for violating the World Anti-Doping Agency’s protocols back in May 2018. But the 25-year-old fully expected that he would be tested ahead of the tournament that will tip off on Saturday.
According to the report, Fiba personnel approached Gilas trainer Dexter Aseron and handed him two envelopes and in it were two names who would be randomly tested—Ravena and center June Mar Fajardo.
“I expected it,” Ravena said in the report. “At least once, I knew I’d be tested here, but I welcome it. It’s also a chance for me to put everything behind.”
“I made a mistake and learned my lesson. Now I know for sure what the result of that test will be.”
Ravena’s first official basketball game was in Gilas’ 85-75 loss to the Adelaide 36ers in a tuneup game on Sunday.