Ateneo fights back; claims UE violated UAAP rule too

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Ateneo fights back; claims UE violated UAAP rule too

Defending UAAP basketball champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are set to submit to the league board a letter asking for an investigation on a possible violation committed by suspended UE Red Warrior Ralf Olivares during Sunday's game between the two teams.

The Ateneo management's letter came several hours after UE sought the board to probe the presence of suspended Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol in their game last Sunday.

Ateneo, through UAAP board member Richard Palou, is contesting the presence of the suspended cager near the UE bench in the September 8 match.

Mr. Palou cited Article 1 of Section 12 of the UAAP Rules and Regulations, which states that:

A suspended athlete shall not be allowed to sit in the bench and its immediate vicinity during the period of suspension. A violation of the condition of the suspension shall result in the forfeiture of the game where such suspended athlete was found present.

Olivares was sitting out the second of his two-game suspension imposed on him by Commissioner Chito Loyzaga "for multiple instance of unsportsmanlike behavior" during the Red Warriors' 73-81 loss to the National University Bulldogs last August 31.

The letter by the Ateneo board representative addressed to UAAP Season 76 president Fr. Maximino Rendon C.M., specifically requests the board to "conduct an investigation of this matter and that the appropriate sanctions be imposed in accordance with the UAAP 76 Rules and Regulations."

Ateneo is likewise asking the board to look into the possible violations committed by suspended athletes in previous Season 76 matches, where they were seen in the immediate vicinity of their team's respective benches.

On August 25, Match #40, suspended FEU player RR Garcia was in the immediate vicinity of the Tamaraws' bench in their game versus UE. On August 31, Match #44, suspended players Charles Mammie and Lord Casajeros were seen in the immediate vicinity of the Warriors' bench in their game against NU.

And on September 1, Match #46, suspended La Salle guard Thomas Torres was in the immediate vicinity of the Green Archers' bench in their game versus Ateneo.

Other than the aforementioned, Ateneo likewise encourages the board to "look into similar violations in games of the Juniors' and Women's basketball divisions."

The timing of the corollary complaints that will be forwarded to the board on Tuesday morning comes in question though as the teams are given a 24-hour window to file protests following a match.