PCU faces another NCAA suspension?

Philippine Christian University, suspended from the NCAA last year for fielding players with false identities, might sit out another season for other violations.

NCAA spokesperson chair Paul Supan of Jose Rizal yesterday admitted that the Taft-based school has already apologized over some points that were raised by the Policy Board headed by Dr. Vince Fabella of Jose Rizal pertaining to their “other offenses.”

“The NCAA Policy Board, headed by Vincent Fabella of JRU, has arrived at a consensus regarding the issue on PCU. But we hope to meet with PCU officials at the soonest possible time before making any announcement,” said Supan, who chairs the league’s Management Committee, in a statement.

Supan has refused to disclose the decision since they want to inform Policy Board member and PCU president Dr. Oscar Suarez first before making its official announcement.

Sources, however, said that the general consensus was to suspend PCU for another year and reduce it to probationary status when it returns next year after the league allegedly found out that there are other players involved in “identity switching.”

Last year, the league suspended one high school player who submitted false names to play for PCU’s high school team.

The league didn’t stop its probe there and continued its investigation, reportedly discovering more players guilty of the same violation. There were also reports that 2006 NCAA high school rookie MVP Elvin Pascual was involved in the controversy.

“The response that was sent to the NCAA was that they did not argue on any of the points that were brought out in the NCAA report. They are just asking for understanding,” Supan said.

Supan was referring to the letter of apology PCU sent in yesterday’s Policy Board meeting at the Casino Español in Manila.