MANILA, Philippines — “[The] most important thing in the end is ‘awareness.’”
That’s how Kiefer Ravena tried to put things in perspective shortly after revealing to the press that he was barred by FIBA from international competition for 18 months.
“You have to be careful, you can’t be too lackadaisical with the things that you purchase,” he added. "I guess that’s my biggest learning. You have to be really careful and really responsible.”
Ravena, 24, is a rookie for the NLEX Road Warriors but has already logged many tours of duty with the Philippine men’s basketball team prior his drafting. His urine sample off a random drug testing tested for three substances banned from the WADA list to which FIBA hinges its anti-doping policy on.
“I should be an instrument for athletes to learn,” the second overall pick of this year’s PBA draft offered.
And as far as awareness goes, Ravena, ever the eloquent and socially conscious athlete, was quick to make the big clarification:
.@kieferravena makes one big clarification: pic.twitter.com/NIN1b6SstS
— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) May 28, 2018