4 players suspended for melee in San Beda-Letran game

Games Tuesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 p.m. – San Sebastian vs LPU (Srs)

2 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs EAC (Srs)

4 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – The NCAA on Monday suspended four players involved in the bench-clearing incident that marred the San Beda-Letran Season 92 game Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Management Committee chair Jose Mari Lacson of San Beda said the league upheld the recommendation of commissioner Andy Jao ordering the suspension of Letran's Jerrick Balanza, Chris dela Pena and Marvin Sario and San Beda's Antonio Bonsubre for their unsportsmanlike acts.

The melee was triggered when Letran's Bong Quinto was called for an offensive foul for elbowing San Beda's Jomari Presbitero.

After that play, Balanza was seen on video elbowing Presbitero on the face and was assessed during the game a flagrant foul that was turned into a disqualifying foul, which resulted to the one-game ban.

"Balanza, during deadball, hit the face of Presbitero. Sario and dela Pena entered the court. They did not do anything but obviously it didn't look well and could exacerbate the situation and the tension," said Jao.

Balanza, a starter, and the seldom used Del Rosario and Sario will thus miss Letran's next game against winless St. Benilde at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jose Rizal seeks to extend its amazing streak to five and jump to fourth spot as it clashes with Emilio Aguinaldo at 2 p.m.

After starting the season with a 3-5 (win-loss) card, the Bombers went on a four-game run including a 68-58 victory over the Lyceum of the Phl U Pirates Friday to jump into joint fourth with the Mapua Cardinals with a 7-5 record and could jump to solo No. 4 with another win.

What is impressive about Jose Rizal was its four wins came at the expense of Final Four contenders – San Beda (11-2), Mapua (7-5), Letran (5-7) and LPU (7-5).

Against the Generals in their 2 p.m. duel, Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses looks a little bit wary of EAC, which lost nine of its first 12 games but had some games where they were in it before folding up in the end.

"They can't be messed up with, they have strong starters and can beat you if you don't watch out," said Meneses of the Generals.

Like Jose Rizal, San Sebastian also tries to keep its streak going against LPU in their 12 noon showdown.

The Stags won three straight over Perpetual Help, San Beda and Mapua after losing nine straight to improve to 4-9 while keeping their Final Four hopes afloat.

"We more concerned on keeping the winning attitude before we think of anything else like the Final Four," said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya.