A pre-workout drink was the cause of Kiefer Ravena's ban. PBA Media Bureau (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANDALUYONG--Kiefer Ravena revealed to the media on Monday night that he took something before his Gilas Pilipinas took on Japan in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Feb. 25 that led to him getting a one-and-a-half-year ban from FIBA.
"The prohibited substances by WADA were found in a pre-workout drink I took before the game," Ravena said during an emergency press conference at Launchpad.
He further detailed, "It's an over-the-counter product available to the general public but not found in drugstores that you mix with water and drink before you work out or before the game."
Interestingly, however, he added, "That was the first time I drank this pre-workout drink."
While he did not disclose more details about the said drink, labeled Dust, as per the FIBA verdict on the ban, in which a copy was obtained by Dugout Philippines earlier Monday, Dust is similar to C4, which was revealed as Ravena's usual pre-workout drink.
While he did not disclose more details about the said drink, labeled Dust, as per the FIBA verdict on the ban, in which a copy was obtained by Dugout Philippines earlier Monday, Dust is similar to C4, which was revealed as Ravena's usual pre-workout drink.
On the other hand, the NLEX rookie guard later said that it was not the case in the PBA.
"I've been tested with the league's random drug test, and it turned out to be negative," Ravena further bared.
In spite of which, Ravena said, "I take full responsibility of my actions, despite how painful and dreadful it is, in taking this pre-workout drink without analyzing and taking extra time to know what its ingredients are.... I'm a responsible man. I will face the consequences no matter how painful and life-changing it may be.... This is just my honest mistake in taking that pre-workout drink."
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