Kiefer Ravena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—NLEX could be without its star guard Kiefer Ravena when the PBA Season 47 tips off on Sunday.
Ravena is still seeking clearance from the PBA if he will be allowed to rejoin the Road Warriors after leaving the squad for the Shiga Lakestars in the Japan B.League in September of last year.
According to NLEX, Ravena is keen on signing a one-conference deal with the Road Warriors and will return to play with the Lakestars, who have reportedly offered him a contract extension.
“He really wants to play [with NLEX] but the question is, would the PBA allow him to play for one conference?” said NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao, who also serves as the team’s general manager, on Monday.
Ravena, who quickly rejoined NLEX after his national team stint in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, was not included in the Road Warriors’ lineup for the 2022 Philippine Cup released on Monday.
The 28-year-old also joined NLEX in its three-day team building at VFarm Garden Resort in Bulacan.
“It doesn’t mean that he can’t play in the future. It’s still being discussed by the PBA board. Anytime they allow him, we can put him in the line up,” said Guiao. “But whether the one conference will be enough for his return, I think it’s for the PBA to interpret it.”
But whether NLEX will have Ravena back in tow or not, Guiao doesn’t seem worried as far as the Road Warriors’ readiness is concerned heading into the new season.
“Actually, we’re almost complete. The pieces are already there,” said Guiao. “We’re ready to go, even without Kiefer.”
“Of course, with Kiefer, we will be really complete,” he added. “But the team is running smoothly. It’s now a matter of translating that into the real game.”