Good news for Pirates

Lyceum coach Topex Robinson, who criticized the NCAA decision banning his player CJ Perez in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals against San Beda, escaped a possible suspension for Game 2 after the league decided on Thursday to defer from making a decision on his case.

In a statement, the NCAA management committee yesterday said it would give Robinson time to finish the finals series against San Beda, even after he branded the league’s decision to suspend Perez as unfair.

Game 2 of the best-of-three finals against San Beda is slated on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“The Mancom has decided to give the LPU coach (Robinson) enough time to finish the remaining finals games,” said NCAA Mancom chair Frank Gusi of Perpetual Help in a statement after an emergency meeting last Thursday.

“Then after which, we are putting continuance to the proceedings in the spirit of sportsmanship and with the best interest of the league,” he added.

Perez, who averages close to 19 points per game, failed to inform the league of his decision to enter the PBA Draft—a violation of an NCAA rule—prompting the league to sanction him.

But Robinson blasted the league for what he branded as inconsistencies as he threw shade at the decision of the league to sternly reprimand Perpetual Help for fielding players who played in a league outside the NCAA during their residency year.

It took until the eleventh hour for the league to decide on the Perpetual Help controversy.