Gullas to decide on UC-USC melee

Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) president Jose R. Gullas will decide on the fate of Allain Abellanosa of the University of Cebu Webmasters and Ahman James Tagalog of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors who figured out in a fight during the CESAFI basketball game at the USC gym.

This developed after the fact-finding team submitted to Gullas yesterday the results of their investigation, which aimed at finding out who provoked the fight between Abellanosa and Tagalog last September 11.

The investigation which was conducted by Judge Reynoso Belarmino and lawyer Joseph "Dodong" Baduel, was held at the office of UV Green Lancers team manager Gerald "Didi" Gullas.

CESAFI basketball commissioner Danny Duran along with other team officials from both camps were also present during the investigation including coaches Roel Gomez of UC and Mike Reyes of USC.

Also present were UC team manager lawyer Baldomero C. Estenzo, UC athletic director Bernard Ricablanca, Jr., UC women's coach Rex Salvaña, UC skipper Kenneth Kern Sesante, USC statistician Eddie Montalban, USC gym manager Fredo Ybarita, chief of referees Edwin Dejacto and Manuel "Insik" Yuamador, representing the CESAFI statistical panel.

Also investigated was the case of UV Baby Lancers coach Delfin "Jun" Pepito, Jr. who alleged hit referee Jimmy Ybañez during the USC-UV game last September 8 in Minglanilla.

Judge Belarmino and lawyer Baduel based their findings to the testimonies of the referees, who officiated the game namely Godofredo Villaro, Ernesto Cane and Melvin Caumeran.

Unfortunately, two other commissioners Robert Callelero and Lito Singson were not able to issue their testimonies because they both resigned after the September 11 incident.

However, the referees gave no satisfactory testimonies on how the fight started and who provoked it, saying that the fight already erupted with Abellanosa chasing Tagalog towards the USC goal.

Abellanosa said he was hit at the back by Tagalog, which the latter denied.

Tagalog, though, admitted they engaged in trash talk late in the fourth period.

The investigation team did not give too much weight on the gun-toting man who fired a warning shot into the gym rooftop because according to lawyer Baduel, they have no jurisdiction to any individual, who are not members of the CESAFI.

The man turned out to be policeman and alleged to be a father of one of the USC players. Baduel explained that only the PNP has jurisdiction on to its personnel.

On the other hand, Baduel was thankful there was a warning shot fired because that aborted the fight.

In the other case, Pepito who is not allowed to call the shots for the Baby Lancers pending results of the investigation, denied having attempted to box referee Ybañez because he just wanted to shake hands.

He said he was even the one hit by Ybañez when he tried to grab his hand for a bear hug.

Pepito also denied he wanted to box the referee, although his action was just like throwing a punch as he was demonstrating how Ybañez hit him.

However, referee Cane defended Ybañez saying he was the one who parried the right hand of Pepito.

After the Minglanilla incident, Duran and his fellow commissioners recommended for the banning of Pepito in the remaining games of the season but the latter appealed to Gullas asking for reconsideration as he was not yet investigated and his side was not heard yet.