NLEX says Kiefer Ravena to return for PH Cup after JPN visa processing

NLEX team official Ronald Dulatre confirmed the reported departure of Kiefer Ravena to Japan to join the Shiga Lakestars of the B.League.

According to Dulatre, the 27-year-old left the country on Wednesday morning for this new chapter of his career. He will no longer join the Road Warriors in Pampanga for the Philippine Cup resumption.

“He will fly to Japan to process his visa/immigration and other B.League requirements since the Japan Govt set a deadline for all the imports entry,” Dulatre wrote in a text message to Tiebreaker Times.

However, the amiable executive said that Ravena will still return upon the completion of requirements to play his remaining games with NLEX.

The PBA allowed the second-generation star to fly to Japan provided that he would finish his campaign with the Road Warriors first in the Philippine Cup. NLEX currently stands at 2-2.

“After completing all the requirements he will go back here to play the remaining games of NLEX,” Dulatre wrote.

Once Ravena lands in Japan, he will undergo a 14-day quarantine. Also, Shiga will begin its preseason games on September 5 versus Niigata; followed by a meeting with Nara on the 11th and Kagawa the following day.

The Philippine Cup resumption, meanwhile, is expected to start by the first week of September, possibly at Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor.

Ravena was able to secure entry to the Land of the Rising Sun as imports received special visas. Foreign players like him, regardless of nationality, are flying by batches since the country is enforcing a strict lockdown.

Thirdy Ravena (San-En NeoPhoenix), Juan Gomez de Liano (Earthfriends Tokyo Z), Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins), Javi Gomez de Liano (Ibaraki Robots), and Kemark Carino (Aomori Wat’s); women football players Sarina Bolden (Chifure AS Elfen) and Quinley Quezada (United Chiba); and volleyball players Jaja Santiago (Saitama Ageo Medics), Bryan Bagunas (Oita Miyoshi), and Marck Espejo (FC Tokyo) are also either already there in Japan or will arrive in the coming days.