Bench-clearing incident: 4 Letran, SBC players sacked

MANILA, Philippines - The NCAA yesterday suspended four players who figured in the bench-clearing incident that marred the San Beda-Letran game at The Arena in San Juan last Friday.

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 Peña and Marvin Sario and San Beda’s Antonio Bonsubre for unsportsmanlike act.

Letran’s Bong Quinto elbowed San Beda’s Jomari Presbitero, triggering the melee.

In a video review, Balanza also elbowed Presbitero in the face during a dead-ball situation and was called for a flagrant foul, which was later upgraded to a disqualifying foul for an automatic one-game ban.

“Balanza hit the face of Presbitero. Sario and Dela Peña 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 game against winless St. Benilde at 4 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, Jose Rizal U guns for a fifth straight win and the No. 4 spot as it clashes with Emilio Aguinaldo College at 2 p.m.

After starting the season with a 3-5 slate, the Bombers went on a four-game run, including a 68-58 victory over the Lyceum of the Phl U Pirates last Friday to jump to joint fourth with the Mapua Cardinals at 7-5.

What makes JRU’s surge impressive is that its four wins came at the expense of Final Four contenders – San Beda (11-2), Mapua (7-5), Letran (5-7) and Lyceum (5-6).

Despite pitted against a struggling EAC side, JRU coach Vergel Meneses remains wary of the Generals, who could only post three wins in 12 games.

“They can’t be messed up with, they have strong starters and can beat you if you don’t watch out,” said Meneses of their rivals.

Like Jose Riza U, San Sebastian also tries to keep its streak going as it battles LPU at 12 noon.