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Letran appeals Fran Yu suspension

Fran Yu's suspension has been appealed. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Letran is currently awaiting the final say from the NCAA Management Committee about the appeal it made regarding graduating combo guard Fran Yu.

Assistant coach Jaren Jarencio confirmed on Tuesday that the Knights appealed the disqualifying foul slapped against Yu in Game 2 of the NCAA men's basketball finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"Nag-submit ng letter si Father Vic [Calvo] regarding kay Fran Yu," Jarencio said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The son of current NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio added that Calvo made the appeal on Monday.

Yu was seen hitting the College of St. Benilde's Mark Sangco with an apparent elbow to the head while going for a rebound in the second quarter of the said game.

Yu was ejected from the game eventually won by the Blazers, and worse, NCAA house rules say that a player thrown out of a game will automatically be suspended for the next match.

By default, Yu will be out for the deciding game of the best-of-three championship series next Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, giving Letran a huge handicap that could put its bid for a three-peat in peril.

However, if the appeal is successful and the ManCom overturns the suspension, Yu gets to play what would be the final game of his illustrious amateur career that saw him become a high school star at Chiang Kai Shek and Letran's current leader following a so-so stint at the University of the East.

"Hopefully, ma-lift yung suspension niya para sa Game 3, mas maganda na kumpleto yung team," Jaren further said.

He then said that the decision could be out later Tuesday at the soonest while the Knights are in practice, but he added that they are already bracing for the worst, that is, the ManCom upholds the ban on Yu.

"Ine-expect na rin namin na di sya makakalaro, so yung rotation and defensive plans namin, in-adjust na namin kahapon," Jarencio further said.

He then said that Letran's other key players, Brent Paraiso, Louie Sangalang, Kurt Reyson, King Caralipio, Pao Javillonar, and Tommy Olivario are ready to give extra effort to fill the possible void Yu would leave, but how the team will fare against CSB in the rubber match will depend on the role players.

"Yung mga veterans naman namin, talagang ready naman yan, pero ang kailangan naming kausapin, yung mga role players. Sila ang kailangang mag-step up," Jarencio said.

He added that Paraiso, Sangalang, Caralipio, Javillionar, and Olivario are expected to go all-in next Sunday as they will also play their swan songs in the collegiate ranks.

"Last year na rin kasi nila, so gusto nila ng good exit bago sila pumasok sa pros," Jarencio quipped

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno

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