Kiefer Ravena was included in the Shiga Lakestars’ opening day roster for the 2021-22 B.League season despite being barred by the PBA to push through his stint with the Japanese ballclub.
The Lakestars announced Tuesday, June 29 the inclusion of Ravena to their 12-man roster, even though the PBA Board of Governors ruled that he should honor his current contract with the NLEX Road Warriors.
A raw english translation of Shiga’s announcement on its website said the roster changes could be made in the event of injury or “a possibility that additional reinforcement will be done.”
【開幕ロスター決定のご報告】 滋賀レイクスターズでは2021-22シーズンに臨む開幕ロスターを決定いたしましたのでご報告いたします。 今後、アクシデントなどがあれば追加補強を行う可能性はございますが、現時点ではこの12名で開幕を迎える予定です。 https://t.co/ueRaeAVKaM pic.twitter.com/koCNJUYI2U
— 滋賀レイクスターズ【SHIGA LAKESTARS】 (@shigalakestars) June 29, 2021
Shiga’s announcement of Ravena’s signing earlier this month was quickly thumbed down by the league as it will violate the terms of the league’s Uniform Players Contract.
Ravena has kept his commitments with NLEX despite the situation by taking part in the team’s practices in Pampanga.
The 27-year-old is hoping that he could follow the lead of his younger brother Thirdy Ravena, who completed his maiden B.League season with the San-En Neophoenix.
Ilocos Norte governor Matthew Manotoc, a part of the Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management which represents Ravena, said recently that he’s hoping that a compromise could eventually be reached.
Fans and other observers believe that a buyout is one option that can be explored for Ravena’s Japan stint to push through.