La Salle mulls leave of absence

La Salle is considering taking a leave of absence from the UAAP in the coming season pending the result of the UAAP fact-finding body’s probe on the eligibility scam with representatives of the school reportedly set to submit the letter to the UAAP board when it convenes today at the Casa Español in Manila.

Sources said a letter is being rushed late last night for submission to the UAAP board. The letter is asking the board to allow La Salle to participate in the next UAAP season in all sports except basketball.

But another source said that under the UAAP rules, basketball and volleyball are mandatory sports for one school to participate, thus virtually dashing La Salle’s bid.

When Adamson was found to have fielded in Marlou Aquino despite academic deficiencies, the UAAP suspended the San Marcelino-based school in all sports in 1994.

Another La Salle source told The STAR that the school is actually divided on whether or not to file for a leave of absence in the aftermath of the eligibility scam following its admission that it unknowingly fielded in two ineligible players — Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian — in its campaign in 2004 and 2005.

"The school is divided on this position," said the source. "If La Salle files a leave of absence for basketball alone and it is allowed by the UAAP board, then what is the purpose? And if it asks for a leave in all sports, then it would be an admission of guilt."

The five-man fact-finding committee is expected to come up with its findings next month even as it reports on the progress of its ongoing investigation to the UAAP board, chaired by Fr. Max Rendon, C.M. of Adamson, in today’s meeting.

The inquiry being done by the group headed by Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P. of Santo Tomas is reportedly three-fourths complete. The probe body’s other members are Josie de Leon of Far Eastern U, Arlene Royo of National U, Ric Matibag of Adamson and league counsel Rene Maria Villa.

Suspension is one possible sanction awaiting La Salle.

Rendon and the board have refused to further comment on the issue and reportedly even barred all school representatives from talking to the media.