MANILA, Philippines — NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao said the other day FIBA should consider the circumstances surrounding Kiefer Ravena’s consumption of a drink that contained stimulants banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as performance-enhancing-drugs and called the 18-month suspension for testing positive “unfair.”
Guiao said when an athlete tests positive for a prohibited substance, particularly on a first offense, the penalty should not lead to ruining his or her career but to assist in the reformation or rehabilitation process. He said the 18-month suspension was not commensurate to Ravena’s violation.
“I think the suspension was unfair and unjust,” said Guiao. “The long layoff could potentially ruin Kiefer’s basketball career. Imagine not being able to play a game in any league during his peak years. It will take a while before Kiefer is able to get back to the level where he is now. I’m sure FIBA’s intention is not to ruin an athlete’s career. Personally, my opinion is the suspension on Kiefer is quite harsh.”
Under terms of the suspension, the 24-year-old Ravena is prohibited from undertaking any form of basketball-related activity, including practicing with his PBA team NLEX and even sitting on the bench during a game. Guiao has asked the SBP to clarify with FIBA if Ravena may be allowed to at least practice with the Road Warriors. SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said he will seek the clarification.
SBP president Al Panlilio said FIBA has been prompt in responding to inquiries. Last Monday, he wrote FIBA asking if the suspension covered playing in the PBA. The next day, FIBA replied to confirm that the suspension includes playing in the PBA or any league.
Ravena took the Dust energy drink before playing for Gilas against Japan in a FIBA World Cup qualifier here last Feb. 25. He was unaware that Dust contained three stimulants banned by WADA. If Ravena had declared consuming Dust in WADA’s doping control form before the test, the suspension would’ve only been for two months. Ravena, however, was not advised on the drug protocol.
In the NBA, athletes are tested for prohibited substances listed under a collective bargaining agreement with the NBA Players Association, a union. Players who test positive for performance-enhancing-drugs or stimulants are suspended from 10 to 25 games. The latest to be sanctioned was the Washington Wizards’ Jodie Meeks who tested positive for banned growth hormones and was suspended for 25 games, including this season’s playoffs and the start of next campaign. Others who were suspended for taking PEDs include Joakim Noah for 20 games, Nick Calathes for 20 games, Hedo Turkoglu for 20 games, Lindsey Hunter for 10 games, Darius Miles for 10 games, Rashard Lewis for 10 games and O. J. Mayo for 10 games. If NBA players turn out positive in a WADA-supervised testing for a FIBA event, they will be subject to suspension by FIBA.
When tennis star Maria Sharapova was suspended for taking a prohibited substance meldonium in 2016, she was barred from playing for two years. To stay in shape, Sharapova practiced in private behind closed doors and away from media attention. Meldonium is a heart medication that increases blood flow to allow athletes to recover faster from burning energy. Sharapova had taken meldonium for a heart issue since 2006 and was unaware that WADA listed it as a prohibited substance.