MANILA, 11 July 2003 — Red Bull quicksilver pointguard Jimwell Torion is confident that the ban imposed on him by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will be lifted sooner that expected.
The 5-foot-7 Torion, considered as one of the best pointguards in the league today, said he has already completed his drug rehabilitation program. He met PBA Commissioner Noli Eala recently to make a personal appeal that he be allowed to play again in the professional league.
Torion also made a personal plea to Eala, saying his suspension has drained his family’s finances.
He was suspended indefinitely by Eala last April 25 after traces of methamphetamine hydrocloride, commonly known as shabu, was found in his urine sample in a random drug test taken after Red Bull’s April 13 game against Ginebra in Cebu City.
Urine samples of PBA players which are found positive for drug use during screening tests conducted by the health department are sent to the PNP Crime Laboratory for confirmatory tests.
The Department of Health informed the PBA that Torion failed the drug test after the PNP Crime Lab confirmed the result of the initial test conducted on the urine sample of the player.
Eala suspended the players who failed the mandatory testing indefinitely and all of them will be subjected to rehabilitation programs ranging from four months to one year.
Torion’s case was supposed to be up for review only at the end of the Asian Invitations in September, but the exemplary behavior shown by the cager in rehabilitation is expected to help his case.
Eala expressed happiness to learn that Torion is doing well and that he has already rejoined Red Bull’s practice.
Eala, however, remained non-committal over the lifting of the ban earlier than anticipated.
He assured Torion, who hails from Argao, Cebu, that he will review the letter and documents the player submitted to the league and decide from there.
“All I can say at this time is that this is a positive development in his bid to be allowed to play in the league again,” Eala said.
Attached to the personal letter Torion submitted to Eala was a note from the head of the Life Management Foundation, the drug rehab center where the cager underwent 11 chapters of twice-a-week multiple family therapy sessions.
“He has towed the line from the start and should be rewarded as a good example to the other recalcitrant players,” said Vicente Macasaet of the LMF. “Having complied with our requirements, I personally recommend his reinstatement in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.”
Eala said he is not closing the door on Torion.
“I’m leaving a window open for him (Torion). This is not the end of the road for him but he has to do what is right because the league will not tolerate such act,” said Eala.
The PBA has been rocked by scandal after some PBA players, including those who have a clean image, tested positive for drug use and were immediately slapped with indefinite suspensions.
For the record, Torion became the first local player - and fourth overall - to fail a random drug test in the pro league.
He joined imports Kelvin Upshaw, Ronnie Thompkins and Derek Hamilton in the ignominious list, along with the two Fil-foreign players, Taulava and Pena.
Unlike Taulava and Pena, who to this day have never admitted their guilt, Torion was man enough to admit his mistakes with his ballclub.
A total of 10 players has been tested positive for illegal drugs.
Aside from Torion, Taulava and Pena, Red Bull star Davonn Harp, Barangay Ginebra forward Jun Limpot - the unlikeliest person to use drugs - Talk ‘N’ Text backups Noli Locsin and Angelo David and FedEx slotman Ryan Bernardo all failed the tests. Three team utility men along with FedEx physical therapist Kenneth Dichoso also failed the drug test.
The Red Bull management is supporting the PBA sanction on Torion by witholding his monthly pay of 250,000 pesos while the suspension is still in effect.
A repentant Torion asked for forgiveness from basketball fans. All he’s asking for is forgiveness from those whom he has hurt - his family, the Red Bull organization, his co-players, and his fans.
Citing his imminent bankcruptcy, Torion appealed to Eala to reconsider his decision to suspend him indefinitely.
But he denied he is a drug addict and said he will regret his moment of indiscretion the rest of his life. Torion said he has learned his lessons well.
Faced with a career-threatening problem, Torion said he is ready to “do anything” the PBA tells him to if it could help in lifting the suspension ? including doing community service in behalf of Red Bull and the league - to tell the youth to “stay away from drugs so as not to suffer my fate.”
He also vowed to help educate people about the dangers of using drugs.
The 28-year-old Torion was found to have used shabu after a random drug testing conducted by the PBA during their game last Palm Sunday.
He readily admitted that he used the banned substance during a wild party in Cebu with friends after Red Bull beat Shell in an out-of-town game last March 29. He said it was his first and only taste of the drug and swore never to try it again.
He said he was appealing for understanding from the public.
The hyperactive player said the incident made him ponder his future and that of his wife and four kids, ages 1 1/2 to eight years old.
Torion, who narrowly escaped death after figuring in a car mishap just before the 2000 PBA season began, said he is still paying for the house and lot he acquired in Antipolo City last year.
