Yeng Guiao supports Kiefer Ravena’s plan to play in Japan but doubts it will materialize

NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao has confirmed that the team’s star guard Kiefer Ravena has a standing offer to play in Japan.

The 61-year old former Pampanga congressman made the revelation during an interview Wednesday in The Game.

“He talked to me a couple of months ago in December. He came to my house, he called me up. He had an offer. He had an offer in Japan,” said Guiao.

“I don’t want to be in the way of your personal career advancement, especially if that advancement was really something substantial,” he added.

While he has no intentions of standing in the way of Ravena’s development, Guiao explained that the many-time national team player has to go through an assortment of legal hurdles which would make his plan practically unattainable.

“But I said, you have a problem and your problem is you have a contract with NLEX and, of course, the PBA will have to allow you or permit you to go to Japan and play because the moment you sign a contract with the PBA team, you are also committed to the PBA as a league,” said Guiao.

Based on Ravena’s contract which was renewed just last October, he is obligated to play for the Road Warriors for the next three years.

And regardless if the former Ateneo main man manages to complete his requirements to play abroad, Guiao remains doubtful that his plans will materialize especially with the upcoming PBA season fast approaching.

“I think even if he completes his papers, that is not going to automatically allow him to be able to play in Japan and just ignore the contract that he signed with us,” said the 7-time PBA champion mentor.

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