De La Salle mulls move on UAAP ban

Whether De La Salle would accept the UAAP verdict or seek redress from the court will be known today when the school issues an official statement regarding its plan of action in the aftermath of the one-year suspension slapped by the league.

But any decision De La Salle will make, a source said, would anchor on preserving the integrity of the school.

Malou Caluma, head of La Salle’s Marketing and Communications Office, said they might issue an official statement today.

Top officials of the school met yesterday to discuss what action to take after it was barred from participating in all sports in the upcoming season of the UAAP.

"Most likely directions will already be set," said La Salle’s UAAP board representative Lito Tanjuatco. "But there are two extremes, one is acceptance of the decision and the other is legal action."

"There are many matters to consider. But what will be guided upon is to preserve the integrity of DLSU," he added.

Bro. Armin Luistro, La Salle System president, heads the 15-man board of trustees where Tanjuatco is also a member.

Tanjuatco said he’s not sure if La Salle would appeal the decision or not.

" I really don’t know," Tanjuatco said. "The only advice I’m giving right now to the university is that we must formulate what has to be done. We need legal inputs because it’s very complicated."

A possible legal action was first broached by Luistro himself when La Salle admitted late last year that it unknowingly fielded in two players — Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian — with fake admission documents during the 2004-2005 seasons. — Joey Villar