San Beda pushes protest; erring players suspended

INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda Tuesday formally protested the outcome of a crucial game the defending champion Red Lions thought they had won on Monday over the Perpetual Help Altas in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament.

The Lions submitted the letter of complaint to the NCAA management committee, contesting what they said was non-call at the end of the third quarter that allowed the Altas to tally a 76-75 win at Filoil Flying V Arena.

San Beda representative Jose Mari Lacson said the team particularly contested the failure of the referees to call a 24-second violation on Perpetual Help before Joel Jolangcob scored a three-point basket that gave the Altas a 14-point lead entering the final period. Arellano University takes on Letran at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

College of St. Benilde and Jose Rizal University tangle at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the NCAA Management Committee has thrown the book at the players who figured in a free-for-all during the game between Emilio Aguinaldo College and Mapua on Monday night.

Mancom chair Paul Supan said 17 players—nine from Mapua and eight from EAC—were slapped suspensions along with the three referees who officiated the match.

Suspended from Mapua were Leo Gabo (4 games), Jomari Tubiano (3 games), Exeqiel Biteng, Andrew Estrella, Justin Serrano and James Galoso ( two games each) and a one-game ban on Jerome Canaynay, Ronnel Villasenor and Darrel Magsigay.

On the EAC side, John Tayongtong was meted out five games, Jan Jamon, Ariel Aguilar and Jack Arquero three games, John Santos, Manelle Quilanita and Edsel Saludo two games and Faustine Pascual one game.

League commissioner Bai Cristobal has fined and suspended indefinitely refs Molly de Luna, Menard Ballecer and Cholo Caoile.