‘Verdict on DLSU will be just, fair’

The UAAP decision on the eligibility scandal involving La Salle will be just and fair, according to league board chairman Fr. Max Rendon, CM, of Adamson.

"The board will decide based on committee findings," said Rendon, referring to the investigation being conducted by the ad hoc committee headed by Fr. Ermito de Sagon, OP, of Santo Tomas.

The five-man fact-finding committee will talk to a few more personalities who could help shed light on the case. It is expected to wind up its probe this week and submit its recommendation to the UAAP board.

A source said La Salle could face a one-year ban from the league for fielding in two ineligible players — Tim Gatchalian and Mark Benitez — during the 2004-2005 seasons, similar to the one slapped on Adamson in 1994 for fielding in Marlou Aquino despite academic deficiencies.

But a La Salle insider said they shouldn’t be suspended since the Aquino case is different from theirs.

"Adamson was caught doing it while La Salle admitted it in good faith and La Salle shouldn’t be suspended for that," said the same source.

Rendon said La Salle could go to court if it wants to.

It was in fact one of the options the school has considered if it is suspended and Bro. Armin Luistro, La Salle system president, himself first broached the idea in November last year when the school admitted that Benitez and Gatchalian have used fake admission documents.

"It’s everyone’s right," said Rendon.

Far Eastern U senior board representative Anton Montinola, for his part, said that whatever decision the board would make would be based on facts.

"Let’s just all wait for the verdict and understand its basis," he said.

Top La Salle officials, including Luistro and Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, vice-president for academic affairs, met last week and decided not to file a leave of absence in all sports.

But a few days later, Malou Caluma, head of the school’s Marketing Communication Office, sent a retraction that it would make a move only after the league had come up with the final verdict.

"DLSU will wait for the UAAP to conclude its investigation after which, DLSU will decide its next course of action," La Salle said in a statement.