Refs also sacked, 17 MIT, EAC players in brawl suspended

MANILA, Philippines - The NCAA yesterday condemned the free-for-all that marred the non-bearing Emilio Aguinaldo College-Mapua match last Monday and sacked 17 players and the three referees who officiated the tumultuous contest at The Arena in San Juan City.

EAC’s John Tayongtong was suspended for five games while Mapua’s Leo Gabo was slapped a four-game suspension for triggering the melee that saw the former punch the latter at the height of the scuffle.

“The Mancom condemns in the highest level the unfortunate incident that occurred in the Mapua-EAC game,” said NCAA Management Committee chair Paul Supan in a statement after yesterday’s three-hour meeting at the Aloha Hotel in Manila.

“Hooliganism has no place in an established league like the NCAA. Proper sanctions based on league rules will be imposed accordingly,” he added.

League commissioner Bai Cristobal fined and suspended indefinitely game officials Molly de Luna, Menard Ballecer and Cholo Caoile for failing to control the game which was subsequently called off with 28.5 seconds remaining and EAC on top, 86-77.

Mapua’s Jomari Tubiano was slapped a three-game suspension while teammates Justin Serrano, James Galoso, Exeqiel Biteng and Andrew Estrella were sacked for two games.

Jerome Canaynay, Ronneol Villsenor and Darrel Magsigay were suspended for a game.

Other EAC players who were suspended were Sydney Onwubere, Jan Jamon, Ariel Aguilar, Jack Arquero for three games, John Santos, Manelle Quilanita and Edsel Saludo for two games and Faustine Pascual for one game.

Spared of suspensions were Mapua’s Jessie Saitanan, Jeson Cantos, Andrew Eriobu and CJ Isit and EAC’s Jozhua General, Jerald Serrano, Christ Mejos and Ai Indin.

The suspensions will be implemented immediately, meaning EAC and Mapua will forfeit their matches against Perpetual Help on Friday and Letran on Monday, respectively.