Guiao, others score PBA testing

The clamor to review the cases of the alleged illegal drug users in the Philippine Basketball Association gained grounds yesterday following the release of high-profile cases in the league and promising a fiery discussion on the issue in the league’s emergency board meeting Monday.

The alleged offenders maintained they never used illegal drugs even as they studied their option to appeal their case and possibly be reinstated in the league.

Like team managers Ira Maniquiz, Robert Non and Frankie Lim, Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao, meanwhile, cast doubts on the process of the drug test being undertaken by the league and said he’ll no longer submit himself to such exercise.

"I’ve made a personal decision that I will no longer submit myself to the PBA drug test unless I’m guaranteed the process is foolproof. Ngayon nakikita kong walang safeguards ang proseso nila, eh bakit ko iri-risk ang reputasyon at ang buhay ko," said Guiao.

"Kung gusto nila magpadala sila ng representatives nila at representatives ng DOH (Department of Health) at PNP (Philippine National Police) sa doctor ko. Doon ako magpapa-drug test," added the very vocal Red Bull mentor.

Guiao also said he’ll suggest the same move to his players. "Karapatan daw ng mga tao na tumanggi kung ayaw mong mag-undergo ng drug test. Eh, di gamitin natin kaysa i-risk mo ang reputasyon at buhay mo," he pointed out.

Davonn Harp and Jun Limpot, on the other hand, mentioned certain medication and food supplements they had taken days before they underwent the test and said these could be mistaken for the illegal substances in their urine samples.

"It is entirely possible that the Nyquil Davonn Harp took to ease his cough and colds a day before the test was conducted might have contributed to the positive results. It may also have been entirely possible that a mix-up occurred in the identification and labelling of the urine samples," said Red Bull team physician John Lim.

After being informed of the positive result of his drug test by the PBA, Harp took an independent test with the New World Laboratory in Quezon City, which produced negative result.

"Starting May 13, Jun (Limpot) was under medication. Mayroon siyang RX sa San Miguel physician. He was tested on May 19 at may nakita sa kanyang illegal substance. Pero hindi siya tinanong kung under medication siya na posibleng mag-trigger ng false-positive result," said Limpot’s cousin and legal counsel Lucille Sering.

Sering said Limpot also underwent independent tests with St. Luke’s, Medical City and Cardinal Santos Hospitals with all producing negative results.

Sering also questioned the process of drug testing being undertaken by the league, saying: "(PBA commissioner Noli Eala had) good intention but (made) bad execution. Nasa basketball world siya. Kung ganito ang move mo sa game, talo ka.

"We felt the decision was hasty. If they want to prove the players are guilty as charged, why not allow them to go an extra mile. Why not admit hair follicle test or any other tests which Jun is willing to undertake," said the lady lawyer.

Limpot likened to a father who was remiss in his duties. "Alam ko pamilya ang PBA. Ang ama dapat inaalagaan ang pamilya. Kaya lang dito parang itinataboy ng ama ang mga anak niya."