Though supportive of Kiefer, NLEX says Japan stint needs to follow PBA rules

The ball now is in the court of the PBA.

Although supportive of star guard Kiefer Ravena, NLEX said his future stint in the Japan B. League needs to conform to the rules and regulations set by the PBA, including the Uniform Players’ Contract (UPC) he signed.

“We understand and support Kiefer’s desire for personal advancement,” the Road Warriors said in a statement released late Wednesday, June 2.

“However, as a member of the PBA, we are duty bound to abide by the rules and regulations that govern the league.”

LOOK: NLEX releases a statement to address the issue of star guard Kiefer Ravena signing with the Shiga Lakestars of the Japan B. League. pic.twitter.com/KZoofhKBzE
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) June 2, 2021

The Shiga Lakerstars made a surprising announcement early Wednesday when they revealed they have signed the 27-year-old guard for the upcoming B. League season.

Afterwards, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said Ravena is “not allowed” to play in Japan due to the UPC he inked when NLEX locked him up to a maximum deal last year.

“The NLEX Road Warriors stand by the tripartite agreement between our organization, the PBA, and the individual player, which is enshrined in the Uniform Player Contract.”

“The Japan engagement of Kiefer will need to conform to the terms of the UPC as well as the rules and policies of the PBA.” – Rappler.com

Delfin Dioquino

Delfin Dioquino dreamt of being a PBA player, but he did not have the skills to make it. So he pursued the next best thing to being an athlete – to write about them. He took up journalism at the University of Santo Tomas and joined Rappler as soon as he graduated in 2017.