POPULAR »
Fri 29 March 2024

Letran’s Garcia, Cruz both slapped with one-game ban

[supsystic-social-sharing id="1"]

toplogo-ncaa90
Diego de la Paz | FCF File Photo
(PRESS RELEASE) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 90 basketball commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal yesterday cracked the whip on a coach, a player and a referee with suspensions, warned others and set to ban an unidentified fan for the rest of the season for their unsportsmanlike behaviors in Jose Rizal’s 69-60 win over Letran Monday in the seniors tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Cristobal sacked Knights coach Caloy Garcia for his two technical fouls leading to his ejection and his player and co-captain Mark Cruz for charging into referee Ian Borbe right after their game ended.

Five Letran players — among them co-skipper Kevin Racal, Jamil Gabawan, Rey Publico and Rey Nambatac — were also given stern warning for crossing over to the game officials prior to the league’s 30-minute cooling period.

Borbe, for his part, got the stiffest sanction after he was banned for three games and will be re-evaluated on his return. Worse, he will serve his suspension in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), where the same set of NCAA referees are being utilized.

“We’re just following the NCAA house rules concerning sanctions to coaches and players displaying unsportsmanlike conduct by provocative gesture meant to ignite a brawl or a fight,” said Cristobal.

“As for our referee, who admitted responding using profane language, he will also be punished with suspensions on both the NCAA and UAAP and will be re-evaluated on his return,” he added.

Cristobal will also recommended to the NCAA Management Committee chaired by Paul Supan of the NCAA to ban a Letran fan who pelted debris on Borbe as the latter was going out of the playing court

“As per NCAA rule, a fan who commit such act will be automatic denial of entry the rest of the season,” said Cristobal. “The problem though is that we’re still in the process of identifying the fan we will ban.”

This will be the third time Cristobal handed out suspensions after he sacked San Beda’s Kyle Pascual and a high school player just last week. Reports have it that Letran will appeal the decision.

Garcia said he has been complaining about Borbe since last year after accusing the latter of bearing a grudge against the former and his team. He also accused Borbe of threatening to punch Cruz during the altercation.



[supsystic-social-sharing id="2"]