There’s no room for gambling in the NCAA.
This was the stern warning issued by newly installed NCAA president Dr. Reynaldo Vea of Season 84 host Mapua and his predecessor Dr. Vince Fabella of Jose Rizal as they moved to battle betting on games which has allegedly plagued the league in years.
“We have no official policy about it, but we do not condone any form of gambling or any nefarious activity in the NCAA,” said Vea, who takes over as league president and Policy Board chair in Friday’s formal turnover rites at the Casa Espanol in Manila.
“Any form of betting or gambling or illegal activities will not be tolerated in this league,” said Fabella.
The statements came after the league was blemished with a betting scandal involving St. Benilde’s Paolo Orbeta, who was caught with several cohorts by the National Bureau of Investigation operatives in an entrapment operation last year.
Orbeta, the Blazers’ star player, and other suspects, including a policeman, were charged in court for “point shaving” and “game fixing.” The player was banned in the league for the same case.
The Orbeta scandal was one of the controversies faced by the NCAA last year.
The NCAA is coordinating with the NBI and the Philippine National Police to prevent similar incidents from happening this year.
“We continue to coordinate not only with the NBI but also with the PNP. The league has been doing it every year,” said Fabella.