Let’s get real

While fans and team owners alike are hailing the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for its decision to conduct mandatory drug testing for all players, here comes Talk ‘N’ Text forward Norman Gonzales questioning the legitimacy of the procedure because in his perception, it’s an infringement on human rights.

It’s difficult to understand where Gonzales is coming from. Only last Thursday, he agreed to submit himself to a drug test when Department of Health (DOH) agents, accompanied by PBA representatives, showed up–unannounced–during the Phone Pals practice at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong.

Before turning in his urine sample, Gonzales signed papers prepared by DOH, declaring his voluntary submission to the examination even as the testing was mandatory. Curiously, his lawyer Elfren Hipolito had sent a strongly-worded letter the day before threatening to sue the PBA unless the Talk ‘N’ Text forward is reinstated.

Is Gonzales kidding or what? Or is he being manipulated by unknown and mysterious conspirators out to sabotage PBA Commissioner Noli Eala’s administration? What’s really going on?

The PBA expects to finish the mandatory testing on all players and staff of the 10 clubs in a few days. Six teams were tested last week. Eala said he’s speeding up the process because of the samples’ limited shelf life. He intends to report on the findings of the mandatory test after the unannounced visits to the practices of the 10 teams are completed. The shelf life is critical because a player who tests positive has the right to request for a re-test, using the same sample earlier submitted.

In Gonzales’ case, he tested positive for a hard substance. He initially said the tested sample couldn’t have been his because he claimed to be drug-free. PBA technical director Perry Martinez said a complaint from a player who tests positive could only be that the sample was not his or the finding was incorrect and therefore, there should be a re-test.

Martinez dismissed the possibility of switching samples because of the strict procedures being followed by the DOH and PBA personnel assigned to coordinate the tests. After initially insisting the sample wasn’t his, Gonzales decided to drop the point and asked for a re-test instead.

Under PBA guidelines, a re-test will be done at a laboratory accredited by the DOH different from the laboratory that made the initial examination.

Gonzales told Martinez he’d like the sample to be re-tested at either the Dangerous Drugs Board facility or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) lab. The original test was done by the Philippine National Police. As it turned out, Gonzales didn’t pursue the re-testing, too. Instead, a letter was sent by his lawyer demanding that the PBA reinstate him–despite testing positive for a hard drug–within five days from May 14.

The demand seems to be out of tune. While it is true that Gonzales is not employed by the PBA directly, his team is a franchise that as a member of the league, abides by its rules and regulations. If Gonzales doesn’t agree with mandatory drug-testing, he is free to play in another league that won’t require it.

Imagine if players begin to question the PBA’s authority to mete out fines and suspensions. Imagine if players insist it’s a violation of their human rights for the PBA to require a certain length of their shorts. There would be absolute chaos.

Gonzales, who turns 27 today (happy birthday), appears to be ill-advised. If he knew the implications of the threat his lawyer made to the PBA, why did he agree to be tested last Thursday? And if he thinks a mandatory drug test is a violation of human rights, does he think a voluntary testing would clean up the PBA’s ranks of users?

Gonzales’ case will be reevaluated after the Asian Invitationals in September. If he stops hemming and hawing, there’s a good chance he’ll be reinstated–especially since he tested negative in Thursday’s examination. But if he continues to harass the PBA for doing something good, Gonzales might just as well kiss his basketball career goodbye.

Postscript. Last Monday, Eala met Gonzales and Hipolito at the PBA office in Pasig. A source said the meeting was cordial and Eala explained the league’s position clearly. Hipolito, described as "a reasonable man" by the source, told Eala he would confer with Gonzales and his family on what to do next ...