Suspension dims Knights’ hopes

Chances of Letran retaining the NCAA crown dimmed following possible suspension of its ace player Ronjay Enrile for a game – which coincides with its Final Four duel with Philippine Christian University.

As it is, the Knights already face tall odds as they need to beat the Dolphins twice to make it to the finals. PCU finished second and Letran third in the double-round eliminations.

NCAA commissioner Ricky Palou recommended yesterday to the league Management Committee (Mancom) the suspension of Enrile for choking San Sebastian’s Leo Najorda in a rebound play late in the third quarter of their game Friday.

The Mancom, chaired by Mike del Mundo of host school Perpetual Help, was still deliberating on the matter at presstime.

"Nakita sa tape na sinakal ni Enrile si Najorda. Idiniin pa nga niya," Palou told The STAR.

The league commissioner recommended that Najorda just be reprimanded as the San Sebastian player merely pulled Enrile’s shorts in retaliation.

The two players were called for a double-foul on the incident that marred the game won by the Knights, 81-78. Letran booted San Sebastian out of the Final Four, in the process.

Sources said Enrile could not escape the sanction since it’s already his second offense in the season. The prolific two-guard has served a suspension for spitting at Perpetual Help’s Dom Javier.

Letran appealed that case but the suspension stayed.

"I’ve heard that Ricky Palou made the recommendation, hindi ko pa nga lang alam what will happen," said Letran coach Louie Alas.

Another Letran player in forward Frederick Rodriguez has also been meted a one-game suspension for figuring in a fight. The case even reached the court of justice with Letran filing a temporary restraining order to stop the league from enforcing the suspension.

It was the first time in the league’s 80-year history that a member school resorted to legal action to dispute a Mancom decision. It drew flak from the basketball community.

In another development, Perpetual Help coach Arturo "Bai" Cristobal, who was suspended early in the season, has appealed the suspension on his forward Vladimir Joe.

Joe was suspended for throwing a punch that missed Mapua’s Erwin Sta. Maria in their game last week.