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MANILA, Philippines—Kiefer Ravena finally got his official release to play for Shiga in the Japan B.League, both NLEX and the PBA confirmed Saturday.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said Ravena will be allowed to play for the Lakestars in the coming B.League season three months after the club announced his signing.
Ravena’s release meant that he won’t need to rejoin the Road Warriors in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup where his club finished seventh in the elimination round and will face second seed Meralco in the quarterfinals.
NLEX team manager Ronald Dulatre said their team first gave Ravena the clearance and that document was eventually sent to the PBA.
Although Ravena will play for the Lakestars this season, he will need to return to NLEX next year.
“NLEX’s clearance was forwarded to the PBA,” said Dulatre. “But note that he will be back after one season.”
Ravena will make his B.League debut on October 2 against San-En and younger brother Thirdy.
Shiga first announced Ravena’s signing in June but the PBA quickly put a damper on the announcement citing that the Philippine international is bound by the league’s uniform player contract.
It was in July that Ravena got the PBA’s blessing to play in the B.League despite having one more year left in his contract.