MANILA, Philippines – After over a month of keeping his silence in the wake of controversy, De La Salle University guard Brent Paraiso is finally ready to speak up.

Paraiso was one of three Green Archers – along with Ricci and Prince Rivero – to have taken a leave of absence from La Salle's basketball team, purportedly because of a team rule that bans players from engaging in endorsement deals.

The leave of absence was announced last February 2, and Paraiso has been silent ever since.

In a statement, Paraiso revealed that he has undergone three separate drug tests in January and had received contrasting results.

"On January 16, 2018, I was asked to submit my urine sample for mandatory random testing; two days after, I was requested to re-submit another batch," Paraiso said. "Clueless yet with the results, and unknown to everyone, I personally requested my parents on January 20, 2018, to bring me to a credible and legitimate testing center to conduct the same drug test – just so we have our own record if the need arises."

Paraiso received the result of the drug test – from the clinic accredited with the Department of Health – on January 22. The results showed that he was "negative to all banned drugs."

Thus, he was shocked when on January 24, he and his parents were informed in a private meeting that he had tested positive for an illegal substance – specifically, methamphetamine or shabu – from the tests done on January 18.

"While it appears to have different results from two separate testing centers from samples taken within just two days - I am publishing my personal DOH Accredited Result for everyone to verify," said Paraiso.

"I confidently stand by my position that I did not take those drugs," he stressed.

"You can see and tell if someone is addicted to shabu," said Paraiso. "I attended our rigorous trainings every day and never missed classes. I am out in public every single day where you can see all my physical features."

"Almost anyone can identify a drug user without any scientific tests - more so if we're talking about addiction to shabu. From here alone, I don't need to rebut further."

• READ: Ricci wants to clear his name, releases drug test results

Paraiso's statement comes less than a week after Ricci Rivero also broke his silence. Rivero also published the result of his own drug test, which came out negative. The high-leaping swingman also firmly denied that he had accepted money from a benefactor.

Both Rivero and Paraiso underwent drug testing on January 20; Rivero received his results on February 9.

In his statement, Paraiso also acknowledged that he had been the target of "insults" on social media in the wake of their leave of absence. The reason that La Salle gave for their departure from the team raised plenty of eyebrows, with many fans questioning what endorsements Paraiso had signed.

"I am not a star, not a lucrative endorser, not a starter, not a poster boy - definitely not a drug user," said Paraiso. "I'm just an ordinary player with the purest love for the sport."

"I am homegrown and green-blooded to the core. I know that I carry my school and family's name with me everywhere I go. I know I have been blessed with more than I deserved, so I would never do anything to jeopardize everything God has given me," he added.

"I was taught better than to throw away everything I've worked hard for over illegal substance use."

Paraiso averaged 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game for La Salle in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament. He played in 10 games, averaging 9.9 minutes per contest.

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