MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Christian University, caught red-handed for using junior basketball players with questionable credentials, filed an indefinite leave of absence from the league after it had been allowed to field its senior teams in the coming NCAA season.

The move, school officials said, was aimed at "policing [the school's] own ranks," and will start next year.

According to management committee official Henry Atayde of College of St. Benilde, PCU will have to reapply for membership if and when it wants to compete in the 86th season. The 85th season starts in July.

He, however, didn't say anything about PCU's chances of getting back into the league, especially with new schools pressing for their own applications.

"I don't think there will be a problem even if we accommodate new schools because eight or nine schools is still workable," said Atayde. "More than 10 would be hard because of the time frame we're allowed to have."

PCU joined the league in 1996 and won the seniors basketball title in 2004. They incurred a one-year suspension last season after the league found them guilty of fielding players who switched identities.

Former PCU management committee representative Fred Olano refused to make a comment, while school owner Dr. Oscar Suarez was in a meeting when the Philippine Daily Inquirer called up.