PBA chief still mum on Kiefer Ravena issue


PBA commissioner Willie Marcial

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial declined to entertain questions regarding other issues affecting the league, particularly the issue surrounding Kiefer Ravena’s signing with the Japanese club Shiga Lakestars.

Marcial begged for understanding at the start of the press conference held virtually Friday, July 9 as he wanted to put the focus on the opening of the 46th season which was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

He did promise that league-related issues will be answered in a future press conference.

“Pasensiya na muna at pag-uusapan muna natin ang opening,” Marcial said. “Yung ibang isyu, pangako ko magpepresscon ulit kami.”

The league is currently under fire from fans after the Board of Governors decided that Ravena should honor his live contract with the NLEX Road Warriors instead of pushing through with his stint with the Lakestars.

But the issue seems far from dead since the Lakestars included Ravena in their initial 12-man lineup for the 2021-22 season.

There’s also anticipation as to what proposed guidelines the league’s study group will recommend to the board in relation not only to KIefer’s case but also to situation surrounding the “Dratt Dodger Rule” and the impasse on Ray Parks Jr’s free agency.