By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--NCAA commissioner Bai Cristobal relayed to some sportswriters on Tuesday that he is suggesting for the nullification of La Salle Greenhills' blowout win against Letran in the juniors' division after three of the Greenies wore jersey numbers different from the suggested numbers.
(Related Story: Greenies' win in peril as jersey number issue surfaces)
Cristobal said that while FIBA allowed anyone to choose from 0 to 99 for his jersey number, a recent league meeting pushed for sticking with the old rule that only numbers from 4 to 19 will be used, putting the Greenies' rout of the Squires in danger of getting overturned.
"They handed me a copy of the minutes of the meeting last June 5 na gagamit uli sila ng 4 to 19 except 13 kung gusto nilang laktawin yun. As far as I'm concerned, babagsak yun sa using of the wrong uniform," Cristobal said.
"Ang recommendation ko based sa sanctions nun, if any players who will use the wrong uniform, yun ang sanction nun, forfeiture," he added.
He, however, clarified that a decision was not yet made regarding the said matter.
"Deliberation pa lang. Ako nagulat na lang noong tinawag ako. Sabi ko, 'Bakit may 27?'" Cristobal revealed.
He also added that LSGH's management can appeal to his recommendation.
"Lahat naman ng recommendations ko, pwede mong i-apila," he continued.
On the other hand, Cristobal bared that he raised his concern of the jersey number rule after FIBA made an amendment about it.
"I brought it up after the 2014 FIBA World Cup. I brought it up sa management. Sabi ko, 'Sir, meron tayong bago. Yung 00 to 99 pwede nang gamitin.' 'We will tackle it first,' yun ang sabi nila sa akin," the commissioner said.
He later told that a decision will be made by Wednesday.
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