MANILA – A “blessing in disguise” was how volleyball star Alyssa Valdez described the temporary ban on boyfriend Kiefer Ravena from playing basketball.
The penalty FIBA slapped on the Ilonggo NLEX Road Warriors rookie made other athletes aware about possible banned substances in supplement drinks, said Valdez.
A national women’s volleyball team mainstay, she considers the incident a lesson to be careful of the food and drinks she takes before her games.
“Looking at the brighter side, alam na natin kung ano pa iyong mga dapat nating gawin para maging careful tayo sa lahat ng mga bagay,” Valdez said in an interview. “We just want to perform well and be ready para sa games.”
“I think that’s the blessing in disguise … kasi magiging careful na lahat,” she added. “Everything’s over-the-counter and it’s really hard din to tell if something’s banned because it’s being sold.”
FIBA disallowed Ravena from engaging in basketball from Feb. 25 this year to Aug. 24 next year after he tested positive for three ingredients in the World Anti-Doping Agency List of Prohibited Substances.
Ravena was prohibited from playing for Gilas Pilipinas and the Road Warriors in the PBA, as well as participating in any basketball-related activities.
The Ilonggo rookie plans to use his suspension period to advocate for the mindful intake of food and drinks.
“You have to be careful. You can’t be too lackadaisical with the things you purchase,” Ravena said. “If I can be an instrument of this advocacy in the Philippines, I’d be open to helping other athletes avoid being in this position.”/PN
