UAAP board ensures scandal-free season

The UAAP has asked registrars of the participating schools to validate the records of all their student-athletes to spare the league from the controversy that marred last year’s edition and led to the suspension of De La Salle.

Luz Sta. Ana, the new UAAP board president, said she would help ensure that there are no scandals surrounding player eligibilities would break out this season.

"I have already advised the different school registrars to authenticate the records of all their student athletes. That is their duty. And if they do that, we’ll have no problem," said Sta. Ana during the weekly PSA Forum at the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila yesterday.

At the same time, newly- appointed commissioner Elmer Yanga also vowed to promote a "fair and just" officiating in the 69th season of the UAAP league.

"That’s my mandate. And we will do our best to see to it that there is fair and just officiating during the games," said Yanga.

The amiable former RFM Corp. official and a prominent basketball figure in the country, was chosen by host University of the East to serve as league commissioner.

A scandal involving La Salle marred the previous season when the Green Archers admitted fielding two ineligible players in 2004, the year they won the championship.

La Salle returned the trophy to the UAAP but, despite its admission, was still slapped a one-year ban on all sports this year, leaving only seven teams competing.

UE’s Bren Perez, the UAAP treasurer, however, clarified that La Salle is still part of the UAAP and, in fact, will be represented when the league raises its curtains on July 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.

"La Salle is only suspended. It is still part of the UAAP family. The La Salle flag will still be up there during the games," he said.

Seeing action in the opening day are UE against Adamson and National University against Ateneo. On July 9, it will be Santo Tomas against State U.

Elimination round matches are scheduled at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. A couple of games are also being scheduled at the Astrodome. — Abac Cordero