A free-for-all erupts during an NBTC high school basketball game between De La Salle-Zobel and Arandia College in Las Piñas City.–PHOTO SCREENGRABBED FROM CHESKA DELA CRUZ FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines—An ugly brawl erupted late in the fourth quarter of a high school basketball game between De La Salle-Zobel and Arandia College.
The incident transpired with only one minute and a second remaining in a semifinal match of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) local qualifiers in Las Piñas City on Monday.
The NBTC condemned the “full-blown melee” that also involved coaches and parents, including PBA governor Erick Arejola of the NorthPort Batang Pier, whose son plays for La Salle-Zobel. Arejola has yet to make a statement about the matter as of posting time.
READ: NCAA: John Amores throws punches as CSB-JRU game halted after ugly brawl
“The NBTC does not condone violence in any shape or form,” the NBTC said in a statement.
“It’s unfortunate that a fight marred the semifinals of the Las Piñas City local qualifying tournament between De La Salle Zobel and Arandia College, with footage of parents and coaches engaging in a full-blown melee.”
The game was called off with De La Salle-Zobel, which was comfortably ahead, 89-78, when the fight happened, awarded the victory.
The title game between Zobel and AMA set this weekend is expected to be played behind closed doors.
READ: Willie Marcial warns of possible sanctions vs PBA players involved in Cebu brawl
“The NBTC recommends that the championship game between De La Salle Zobel and AMA Basic Education of Las Pinas this weekend, to be held behind closed doors to avoid similar incidents in the future.”
“More than the pursuit for greatness, the NBTC highly values its virtues of developing skills, building character, and raising leaders.”
Local organizers LPM basketball league also issued a separate statement, vowing to “establish more stringent guidelines and preventative measures to guarantee that such incidents do not happen again.”