Coke import drug-positive

Coca-Cola import Darrell Johns tested positive for marijuana, further compounding the Tigers’ dilemma in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup as the former Chicago State player departs for the United States this morning.

Though given a 45-day grace period after the release of his initial drug test, Johns opted to go home today, admitting he used marijuana in the US before accepting the job here.

" He didn’t know he would be leaving and play in the PBA and that marijuana is banned here, " said Coca-Cola coach Eric Altamirano.

Pending the completion of the grace period, Johns was allowed to suit up for the last time with the Tigers versus the FedEx Express last night.

Johns was found positive for the banned substance on both the Games and Amusements Board and the team’s own drug tests.

The 6-foot-9 import figured in the first drug-related incident in the PBA since a score of local players failed a mandatory anti-dope test conducted by the league two years ago.

The controversy reached the halls of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Altamirano said the team is re-hiring old import Mark Sanford to replace Johns.

Sanford, a former star of the Washington University, is fresh from the Australian league where he led the Sydney Kings to the championship.

Meanwhile, Dondon Hontiveros rifled a trey close to the final buzzer as San Miguel Beer continued its domination of Purefoods, 71-70, and firmed up its hold of the lead in the season-ending tourney with a 7-3 win-loss card.

The Hotdogs missed four crucial free throws in the last two minutes as they suffered their fifth straight setback and their sixth in 10 games in all.

Noy Castillo had a chance to put tremendous pressure on San Miguel as he broke a 70-all standoff on a strong drive to the basket and drew an accompanying free throw off a foul by Olsen Racela.

The Purefoods two-guard missed the charity, though, and the Beermen worked a crucial play that had Hontiveros delivering the deciding basket with 18 ticks left in the clock.

Castillo himself tried to salvage the game for the Hotdogs but missed a long baseline jumper at the buzzer.

"We both played good ‘D’ but nobody played well offensively. We just played well our last possession," said San Miguel coach Jong Uichico.