SBP looks to clarify Ravena's PBA status to FIBA as he sits out vs Blackwater

As everyone awaits more details on his ban, Kiefer Ravena will take a bye on Wednesday night. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Kiefer Ravena's stellar PBA rookie season is now hanging in the balance.

With Ravena serving an 18-month ban from FIBA for failing a drug test, the question lies on whether the sanction spills to the club leagues.

This is something the SBP is trying to ask FIBA.

"We are communicating with FIBA seeking clarification in connection with Mr. Ravena's playing for the NLEX PBA team. We will write a letter to clarify if we will have Kiefer playing for NLEX in the PBA," said SBP president Al Panlilio.

However, Panlilio added, "The rules are very clear: all leagues and activities," which explains why Ravena was suddenly pulled out of the PBA All-Star Iloilo Game on Sunday night.

[Related Story: Ravena pulled off from PBA All-Star Game at 11th hour]

Panlilio then revealed that the SBP was only notified of the FIBA decision, which was meted on March 19, just last Tuesday, or at the eve of the PBA All-Star Digos Game, when the Gilas pool already confirmed that Ravena will play for the team. He did not play in the Batangas leg of the All-Star Week on Friday.

For the meantime, Ravena will not play for the Road Warriors when they take on the Blackwater Elite in the resumption of the Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Ravena ban somehow overshadowed the other main stories of the 4:30 p.m. game: the aftermath of the Dave Marcelo-Rabeh Al-Hussaini trade and the return of Henry Walker as Blackwater import.

In the second game at 7 p.m., San Miguel and Phoenix will collide.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno