 |
| The NCAA is currently looking at a post-game commotion that involved at least one Mapua fan and a referee. NCAA (file photo) |
MANILA--The NCAA has launched a probe regarding what went down right after the College of St. Benilde defeated Mapua during their opening night match on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The league confirmed on Tuesday that "unidentified persons attacked one of its referees" moments after the Blazers tripped the Cardinals, 78-65.
"The referee involved received immediate medical care and is currently in a safe condition. We are grateful for the quick response of the medical team and all those who assisted in ensuring that the referee was immediately attended to," the NCAA bared the good news.
"The NCAA would like to take this opportunity to assure everyone that it is taking this matter seriously."
The league did not divulge who the referee was, but Dominique Pomar, Emmanuel Faraon, and Jerry Borja were the assigned officials for the game, an early rematch of last year's Final Four match-up.
The NCAA confirmed that at least one of the fans who attacked the umpire was a Mapua supporter, although they stayed mum about further details.
"The [NCAA management committee] was also informed that the said person will be banned by Mapua from participating in any of its school events as the NCAA undertakes its own investigation on the matter," the league further said, implying that the said fan is not allowed to watch the Cardinals in action.
The NCAA ManCom is also discussing the matter with the SM Mall of Asia management, specifically looking at the loopholes in the security protocols set during the opening night festivities that led to the post-game melee while also conceptualizing more stringent rules to prevent this from happening again especially that the action has already shifted to the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
"The NCAA does not condone violence. As the oldest premier collegiate league that prides itself in fostering sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie, violence of any kind has no place in our league," the league further said as the post-game tussle already put an early blemish to the "Grand Old League's" 100th season with Lyceum, the NCAA's youngest member school, chosen to host the milestone year.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
