PBA set to implement own drug testing
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday said the league will soon begin random or mandatory testing on its players, not just for social drugs but for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) as well.
Marcial admitted yesterday that the PBA does not test players for PEDs but will soon implement the practice after the commissioner got the approval of the board of governors.
“We only do tests for social drugs on our players, (marijuana, shabu and ecstacy). But for performance-enhancing drugs we are just about to implement that,” he told The STAR.
The PBA will coordinate with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and noted Filipino sports surgeon Dr. Raul Canlas regarding the testing.
Once implemented, PBA players may be subjected to testing any hour, any day, any week and any month of the year.
“That’s how WADA does it,” said the commissioner.
Marcial made the comments after Kiefer Ravena, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle who failed a doping test with FIBA, faced suspension from the world body as well as the Games and Amusements Board for failing a recent drug test.
If suspended, Ravena may not play in the PBA or represent Gilas Pilipinas in international competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympics, and the FIBA events like the Asian Championships and World Cup.
Ravena, who is leading the race for the PBA Rookie of the Year award, has won four gold medals in the SEA Games for the Philippines.
“Yes,” said Marcial if the case will affect Ravena’s chances of winning the top rookie plum.
The PBA commissioner said he will wait for the official statement from FIBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“Will the FIBA suspend him? Will GAB suspend him? We have to find out. For now, this is a FIBA case,” he said.
GAB chairman Abraham Mitra has deferred any action because “it was FIBA that conducted the tests, and not under our auspices.”