Lawsuit may derail cager bid to suit up

PBA commissioner Noli Eala yesterday said it’s unfortunate that Norman Gonzales’ had filed a legal case against the league, since it would jeopardize the early reinstatement of the Talk N Text player.

Eala said the Commissioner’s Office was about to review Gonzales’ case through the appeal of Talk N Text when the player sought the intervention of a regional trial court in Angeles City on his suspension in the league for alleged illegal drug use.

"Sayang ire-review na sana namin ang kaso niya because Talk N Text submitted a letter, informing us Norman is undergoing detoxification program," said Eala.

"It’s unfortunate development and it has completely set back whatever progress his case may have attained. The PBA is not in favor of settling a case outside the confines of the league, specially in the court of law," Eala added.

Gonzales, through his lawyer Efren Hipolito, asked the court to issue temporary restraining order (TRO) against the league.

Eala will file a motion to dismiss the case although he said he’s ready to answer Gonzales’ charges in court.

Eala suspended Gonzales indefinitely after the Talk N Text forward tested positive for a banned substance in a random drug test. — Nelson Beltran