Following the steps of his good friend Ricci Rivero, De La Salle Green Archer Brent Paraiso cleared his name regarding rumors of him testing positive from drug use. Unlike Rivero’s statement last March 7, however, the La Salle sophomore delved into what had transpired leading up to their “leave of absence” from the team.
“On January 16, 2018, I was asked to submit my urine sample for mandatory drug testing [in school]. Two days after I was requested to re-submit another batch,” Paraiso’s statement on Twitter read.
“Clueless yet with the results and unknown to everyone, I personally requested to my parents on January 20 to bring me to a credible and legitimate testing center to conduct the same drug test with biometrics just so we have our own record if the need arises,” it continued.
“My Department of Health-accredited conducted drug test result dated January 22 says I am NEGATIVE to all banned drugs. On January 24, my parents and I were called to a private meeting. We were informed that I tested positive for an illegal substance called methamphetamine (shabu) from the drug tests done on the 18th of January.”
Tiebreaker Times released last February 2 that Prince Rivero, Ricci Rivero, and Paraiso were out of the Green Archers lineup due to breaking a school rule. La Salle’s Office of Sports Development though released a statement later in the evening stating the three had asked for a leave of absence due to their contractual obligations with their endorsers.
Paraiso, though he did not go into detail of what actually transpired, expressed that there had been an “injustice” done to him and the Rivero brothers.
“You can clearly see if someone is addicted to methamphetamine. I attend our rigorous trainings every day and never missed classes. I am out in public every single day where you can all see my physical features. Almost anyone can identify a drug user without any scientific tests — more so if we’re talking about an addiction to shabu,” the statement furthered.
“From here alone, I don’t need to rebut further. There are more details to this story but I do not feel to expose the injustice I’ve received either. I simply want to clear my name and put all rumors to rest.
“I am not a star, not a lucrative endorser, not a starter, not a poster boy — definitely not a drug user,” the statement closed.
Paraiso started five games for the Green Archers last season, averaging 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.8 minutes of action. He and the Rivero brothers have not been part of any of the team’s off-season trainings and scrimmages this year, according to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation.
La Salle have yet to release a statement regarding the developments as of publishing.
