PBA commissioner Noli Eala has reopened the cases of the two players for reevaluation and hinted at their reinstatement in time for the season-ending import-laced tourney after submitting documents proving they’re clean of any illegal substance.
Harp submitted documents stating he passed a drug dependency test undertaken by Dr. Bernard Regalado of the Bureau of Food and Drugs and likewise hurdled a hair follicle test done in the United States.
Locsin, meanwhile, underwent detoxification procedure and expressed willingness to undergo continuous counseling if ordered by his doctors.
Eala took into consideration the procedures undertaken by the two players in forwarding the date of the reevaluation of their cases. The original decision of Eala on the two players was indefinite suspension with their cases due for reevaluation only after Sept. 30.
"We were supposed to reevaluate their cases at the end of September, but because of their efforts, we decided to advance the reevaluation. Actually, it’s now ongoing," said Eala.
The league commissioner considered the efforts done by Harp and Locsin "positive moves."
Eala said he’s also reviewing the cases of Alex Crisano of Barangay Ginebra and Norman Gonzales of Talk n Text at the end of the Invitational tourney but no reinstatement being mulled.
"Eh, wala naman silang sina-submit na papel. Si Norman Gonzales may papel doon sa kasong sinampa niya against the PBA (in a regional trial court in Angeles City)," said Eala.
Crisano and Gonzales failed a random drug test while Harp and Locsin together with Jun Limpot, Ryan Bernardo, Dorian Pena and Long David flunked the succeeding one-time mandatory test.
Eala made no mention of Limpot, Bernardo, Pena and David who apparently have yet to comply with the Commissioner’s Office to undergo rehabilitation through therapy and/or counselling.
"Matagal na rin naming hinihintay iyan (Harp). We surely need him in the team. It’s obvious his absence affected our campaigns in the first conference and in the Invitationals," said Red Bull Barako team manager Tony Chua.
"Masarap pakinggan ang balitang iyan. Hindi na nga ako makapaghintay bumalik sa court," said Locsin.
Actually, the 6-foot-3 Ilongo player is now a free agent with his contract with Talk n Text expiring at the end of the All-Filipino Cup. "Tuloy naman ang ensayo ko sa Talk n Text. Siguro naman ii-extend ang kontrata ko once na i-reinstate ako ni commissioner," said Locsin.
Meanwhile, Eala said there’s a possibility that the PBA would again play some games at the Araneta Coliseum.
"Some circumstances forced us to leave the Araneta Coliseum. However, recent developments indicate that those problems would soon be gone," said Eala.
The PBA left the Big Dome after the All-Filipino Cup because due to in-venue advertisements.
Meanwhile, with a two-day rest, the Coca-Cola Tigers should have enough energy to finish off the Alaska Aces today in their best-of-three showdown for the Samsung PBA Invitational Cup championship at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Tigers walloped the Aces, 94-81, Sunday. "Medyo pumapabor sa amin ang schedule dahil we have two-day break in between games . But it could work both ways. Pwede kaming makakuha ng bagong energy, pwede rin silang tulungan with Don Allado getting time to recover from his injury," said Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes.
Allado sat out Game One because of a sprained ankle sustained in their semis duel with the Red Bull Barako Thunder last Friday. The 6-foot-6 slotman averages 10 points and eight rebounds a game.
"Swerte kami noong Game One wala si Allado. We know how important Allado is in their scheme of things offensively and defensively," said Reyes.