DLSU suspendido ng isang season sa UAAP

Hindi makakalahok ang De La Salle University sa lahat ng sport sa nalalapit na 69th season ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) matapos itong suspindihin ng UAAP Board kahapon.

Ito ang naging desisyon ng UAAP Board matapos ang mahabang imbestigasyon sa kaso ng kanilang dalawang players sa men’s basketball team na natuklasang mga ’ineligible player’ dahil sa kanilang pekeng dokumento.

"After due deliberation and in the interest of the league, the board with all the members present and inaccordance with its rules and regulation(s) by unanimous vote decided to suspend (the) De La Salle University," ayon sa statement ng UAAP board ruled. Furthermore: "By three fourths vote of its members qualified to vote in accordance with its rules, the board decided that (the) De La Salle University shall be suspended for a period of one year effective UAAP Season 69 and shall cover all sports events."

Umabot ng anim na oras ang deliberasyon ng 16 UAAP Board members sa Adamson University President’s Conference Room kahapon sa rekomendasyon ng UAAP fact-finding committee na pinangunahan ni UAAP Season 68 secretary-treasurer Dr. Ricardo Matibag ng Adamson University bilang committee chairman kasama ang mga members na sina Fr. Ermito de Sagun, OP ng University of Santo Tomas, Arlyne Royo ng National U, Josie de Leon ng Far Eastern U at Atty. Rene Villa, ang UAAP legal counsel.

Inungkat ng komite ang punu’t dulo ng pagkakaroon ng pekeng Philippine Educational Placement and Testing Certificates of Rating nina Mark Lester Benitez at Timoteo Gatchalian III na lumaro noong 2004 season kung saan nagkampeon ang Archers.

"It has always been a rule that each member university has the responsibility to ensure that the eligibility documents are to be authenticated and/or verified prior to or at the time of submission, as it is even required to bear the signature of its Board Representative and Registrar," sabi pa ng Board.

"The DLSU knew or ought to have known about the matter at the time that these documents were presented for eligibility purposes to the UAAP."

Nagbitiw na sa posisyon ang buong coaching staff na sina coach Franz Pumaren, team manager Perry Capistrano, Assistant team manager Manny Salgado sa kasagsagan ng imbestigasyon.

"Having received official verification as early as August 18, 2005, no action was taken by De La Salle until after more than a month later when it came out publicly and began investigating the matter," sabi pa ng Board. (Carmela Ochoa)