Lions may default two games due to suspensions

MANILA, Philippines - If the suspension on several San Beda players involved in a volleyball brawl last year would be upheld, the Lions may end up defaulting their first two games in Season 88 of the NCAA basketball competition this June.

“We have majority of our players suspended for two games, if the suspension remains, we will be left with a few players and possibly default it,” said Fr. Rafael Alcaraz, OSB, San Beda’s vice president for finance and team administrator.

“We hope they will allow us to schedule suspensions individually so that it will not be hard on us. We believe the NCAA is not strict, they will grant us our request that’s why we’re appealing the case, we want to be logical about it, we can’t get emotional and make mistakes,” he added.

Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza, Rysie Koga, Rome dela Rosa, Jose Carmelo Lim, Baser Amer and Anjo Caram were slapped two-game suspensions each for forcibly entering the gym and disrupting an official volley match.

San Beda’s Nigerian center Olaide Adeogun and Fil-Am Julius Armon, set to play next season after years of residency, were also banned from entering any NCAA venue next year as a spectator for the same reason.

Adeogun and Armon were sacked because they’re not yet players and if their eligibility papers are approved, their ban will be commuted to the same punishment slapped on their fellow players.

“We trust in the goodwill of the members of the NCAA. Syempre we are all sportsmen, we are going to appeal,” said Alcaraz.

Also suspended was Ed Cordero, a member of San Beda’s coaching staff, for two games while Lions coach Frankie Lim and San Sebastian volley mentor Roger Gorayeb were banned for two seasons for their involvement in the fracas.

Both Lim and Gorayeb will challenge the verdict.

Management Committee chair Dr. Ramon Cercado of season host Perpetual Help, however, called on the banned and suspended players to make their appeal in the proper forum.

“All I can say is that I hope they will put their grievances and appeal on paper and let us deliberate on it and make a reasonable decision,” said Cercado.