Torion suspended indefinitely for failing
drug test
by Agnes R. Cruz
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Jimwell Torion
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MANILA: JIMWELL TORION, considered as one of the best pointguards
in the Philippine Basketball Association today, has been suspended
indefinitely by PBA commissioner Noli Eala after testing positive
for use of a banned substance called shabu.
The 5-foot-9 quicksilver point guard of Red Bull failed the
mandatory random drug test conducted by the Department of
Health during the April 13 game against Barangay Ginebra.
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.
The indefinite suspension bolstered speculations that Torion
was found positive for a drug other than marijuana and was
a drug that is covered by more severe penalties.
Under the provisions of Republic Act 9165, Torion will have
to undergo “a minimum of six months rehabilitation in
a government center.”
The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is likely to suspend
the playing license of Torion the way it did with Fil-foreign
players Paul Asi Taulava of Talk ‘N Text and Dorian Pena
of San Miguel.
There are also possible moves from the Philippine Drugs Enforcement
Agency and other government agencies as what happened after
the two Fil-Ams flunked the drug test.
Then just a week after Torion was banned for shabu use, another
player in the pro league tested positive for drug use.
Barangay Ginebra’s Alex Crisano was also found positive
for shabu, prompting Eala to also slap an indefinite suspension
on the Fil-Am center.
“It’s sad, it’s unfortunate that another player
tested positive only after a week one (Torion) was caught,”
Eala said.
Crisano’s urine test was taken before the replay of
the Ginebra-Talk ‘N Text match last April 22.
Eala indicated that Torion’s case “will be studied,
reevaluated at the end of the PBA Asian Invitational Tournament”
scheduled in July.
Traces of shabu (methamphetamine) were reportedly found on
Torion’s urine samples in tests conducted by the Philippine
National Police Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame.
In their encounter on March 29 in Cebu City, Torion, who
hails from Argao, Cebu, put on an exhilarating display for
his hometown fans with an array of spectacular moves, alongside
last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Willie Miller
as they brought the crowd to its feet, scoring 38 points between
them.
Torion and Crisano’s indefinite suspension is a more
severe sanction than the two-game suspension slapped on Talk
‘N Text’s Asi Taulava and San Miguel’s Dorian
Pena after “slight traces of marijuana” were found
in urine samples taken prior to the start of the season on
Feb. 23. Torion could sit out the entire All-Filipino.
For the record, Torion became the first local player 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.
Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said he had discussed the Torion
case with team owner George Chua, who stressed that management
would “go hard on him (Torion) even though we have something
at stake.”
Guiao said they support the commissioner and added, “These
players are stupid.”
Eala ordered Torion to submit himself to a rehabilitation
program.
In a statement, Red Bull said team management was shocked
to learn that Torion tested positive for drugs.
The statement said: “It is surprising because Torion
has displayed exemplary discipline both during practice and
actual games since joining our team.
“Torion is a valuable member of our team, but the Batang
Red Bull management is taking appropriate action against him
because we believe our players should serve as role models
to the youth.
“We are, therefore, suspending Torion until such time
that he can prove that he has already overcome his problem.”
Yet unlike Taulava and Pena, who to this day have never admitted
their guilt, Torion was man enough to admit his mistakes with
his ballclub.
“We talked as soon as we received the decision from
the PBA. He offered no excuses and instead apologized to the
team, the league and the fans. I tried to get him to admit
he used drugs but he just said he’s not a drug addict,’’
said Chua.
Torion also told Chua about the one night of indiscretion
in his native Cebu, after he played a big role in Red Bull’s
win over Talk ‘N Text, that got him into the mess.
“After our game in Cebu City, Jimwell said he was invited
by his old Cebuano friends to a party. I think it turned out
to be some sort of a wild party, that some people may have
used something during the party.
“I did not press him for more; he was apologetic and
admitted his mistakes. He did not try to fool me by offering
excuses like maybe he just inhaled some or that he took some
medications with banned substances. I admire him for that,’’
he said.
But Chua said that Red Bull is not condoning the act and
will follow, with a heavy heart, the decision of the league.
The Red Bull official added that, “in the wake of these
alarming and ugly incidents in the league involving players,’’
the team is planning to embark on a serious crusade against
drugs in sports.
“We must think of something to really implement, strictly,
policies against this problem. Batang Red Bull is behind the
PBA in its crusade against drugs and will fully cooperate
in all its programs because we are part of the PBA family.
“Everybody here has a responsibility, especially, I
must say, on our actions,’’ said Chua.
Interestingly, the PBA has entered into an accord with the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the random drug testing
of its players before every game shortly after Taulava and
Pena were found positive for marijuana use.
The results of the tests took PBA officials by surprise since
this case was unprecedented in the 29-year history of the
country’s premier basketball league.
The PBA could not make an outright decision on what penalty
to impose on the erring players, this being the first time
a local player had been found to have taken a banned substance.
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