BRIEFLY : WHITAKER'S DRUG SUSPENSION LIFTED.

Byline: Daily News

Pernell Whitaker's suspension for alleged cocaine use was lifted Monday by the World Boxing Association, clearing the way for the welterweight's April 25 title bout against Ike Quartey.

The WBA ruled that a positive test result for cocaine use after Whitaker's Oct. 17 victory over Andrei Pestriaev was invalid.

``The procedures that they took were not the most appropriate or correct ones, and they didn't even take a second test,'' said Gilberto Mendoza, executive director of the WBA.

The tests were administered by the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming and Athletic Commission, which was the host for the fight at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. The commission suspended Whitaker indefinitely.

If the positive test result had stood, the commission's options ranged from an extension of his suspension to revocation of Whitaker's license. The result of the fight could have been overturned, or it could have been declared no contest.

Whitaker also could have lost his purse, which was $1 million.

The WBA also conducted drug tests on Whitaker over the past two months, Mendoza said. All the results were negative.

BASEBALL: A sudden change in heart rhythm was blamed for the collapse of Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray.

Caray has not been able to breathe on his own since being admitted to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage on Saturday night after falling at the Basin Street West nightclub, family spokesman Bill Wills said.

NFL: Looking to improve a defense that ranked 23rd in the NFL last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran Buffalo Bills linebacker Bryce Paup to a long-term contract. The contract is reportedly worth about $22 million.

The Chicago Bears signed free-agent fullback Ty Hallock, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, to a three-year, $2.1 million contract, the team said.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Texas A&M coach Tony Barone, whose 1991 arrival brought hopes of a basketball revival, will be dismissed as coach after this season and reassigned within the athletic department.