MANILA, Philippines — Gilas and NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena began his personal crusade to raise awareness of banned substances, particularly performance-enhancing drugs, and distributed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list to national athletes Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, Cheska Altomonte of softball, Nikko Huelgas of triathlon and James de los Santos of karate in a meeting at the PLDT office in Makati the other day.
Ravena, 24, tested positive for three banned substances in a urinalysis conducted by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Montreal. Two samples were extracted from Ravena after the Gilas game against Japan at the MOA Arena last Feb. 25 and they both turned out positive results. FIBA issued an 18-month suspension from any basketball-related activity on Ravena for testing positive in a decision by the FIBA Disciplinary Panel last May 22.
Ravena admitted taking an energy pre-workout drink called Dust which is available over the counter in some local dietary supplement stores. He was not aware that Dust contains illegal stimulants methylhexaneamine, dimethylbutylamine and higenamine which are in WADA’s prohibited list. Ravena took Dust when his regular drink C4 went out of stock. SBP has tested Ravena twice after consuming C4 with no positive results. Dust claims to maintain and recover energy.
Ravena did not contest the WADA findings. If he had disclosed having taken Dust before testing, the penalty would’ve only been a two-month suspension. FIBA displayed leniency in penalizing Ravena, who took the drink with a clear conscience, and reduced the suspension from 24 to 18 months. Effectivity was back-dated to Feb. 25 so effectively, the suspension is for 15 months.
NLEX president Rod Franco and NLEX PBA governor Ramoncito Fernandez pledged their full support behind Ravena’s information drive. NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said he has asked the SBP to clarify with FIBA the extent of the prohibition from basketball-related activities. SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said he will inquire from FIBA if Ravena may practice with the Road Warriors or sit on their bench during PBA games.