NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena now headed to Japan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena’s contract row with the PBA did not keep Japan B.League club Shiga Lakestars from including the crack Filipino guard in their lineup.
The Lakestars on Tuesday announced their official roster for the upcoming 2021-22 B.League season with Ravena part of the 12-man roster.
“The average age at the start of the club is 26 years old, which is the youngest lineup in the history of the club, but under the new HC Luis Gil Torres, the club as a whole will fight through the new season,” the club said in a statement.
【開幕ロスター決定のご報告】
滋賀レイクスターズでは2021-22シーズンに臨む開幕ロスターを決定いたしましたのでご報告いたします。
今後、アクシデントなどがあれば追加補強を行う可能性はございますが、現時点ではこの12名で開幕を迎える予定です。
▶️https://t.co/ueRaeAVKaM pic.twitter.com/koCNJUYI2U— 滋賀レイクス SHIGA LAKES (@shigalakestars) June 29, 2021
Earlier this month, Shiga made a surprise announcement that it has signed Ravena as its Asian import.
The move, however, hit a roadblock due to Ravena’s preexisting contract with PBA team NLEX bound by the Uniform Player’s Contract (UPC) which prevents a player from playing in other leagues.
The 27-year-old guard signed a three-year extension with the Road Warriors last September.