Alleged Sorsogon bubble sends Tigers in turmoil

MANILA, Philippines — The verdict is still in the air.

The IATF fact-finding committee looking into UST’s controversial bubble in Sorsogon yesterday met for the second time but could not come up with anything concrete.

Possible sanctions, including a suspension on UST, are being considered if proven that violations on the IATF rules and guidelines on activities in amateur sports were committed.

Based on reports, the Tigers put up a bubble in Sorsogon last June, and the players, mostly under 21 years old, have stayed in the province apparently to train.

As the threat of suspension looms, league insiders yesterday said a couple more “key players” from UST have started to look at other schools to play for in the next UAAP season.

“If the school is suspended, they will transfer,” the source said. Among the names that were mentioned on social media were Rhenz Abando and Bismarck Lina.

The school has launched its own investigation amid reports that the players were made to sign a waiver leaving the school free from any liability in case any untoward incident happens inside the bubble.

The school will submit the results of its investigation to the UAAP before it is forwarded to the IATF committee.

Santo Tomas coach Aldin Ayo said he will cooperate with the investigation, and hoped that it is “properly addressed.”

Amid the controversy, which erupted last week after UST team captain CJ Cansino was booted out of the team and has moved to the UP Maroons camp, the director of the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP, has resigned from his post.

The resignation was accepted, and Fr. Ermito De Sagon, OP, who preceded Abogado, is back in his old post.

The IATF committee is also looking into possible violations by the National University Lady Bulldogs volleyball team after video clips of what appeared to be a team practice appeared on social media.

NU officials have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

A source told The STAR yesterday that some of the UST players remain in Sorsogon and should be back in Manila or their respective provinces by tomorrow.

Prospero de Vera, CHED chairman, reiterated their advisory sent out to the different schools, colleges and universities last March that all students must stay home during the pandemic.

“Safety of all students is the topmost concern,” said De Vera. — Joey Villar