HOOLIGANS back in the NCAA?
Nearly two years had passed after former Jose Rizal University guard John Amores attacked several College of St. Benilde players in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament.
Things seemed to be back to normal after that, but the specter of violence is rearing its ugly head anew.
The country’s oldest collegiate league opened its centennial cage wars last Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay with a damning controversy–a referee was allegedly mauled after the game between College of St. Benilde and Mapua University where the Blazers scored a 78-65 victory.
A usually reliable Malaya-Business Insight insider said the league’s Management Committee headed by chairman Hercules Callanta of season host Lyceum is probing the incident, adding a clearer picture of what transpired will be known today.
“No (player or coach involved). Parehong nakasuot ng black pants and white polo ang nanggulpi,” the insider said on condition of anonymity. “Mayroon kaming information. Confirmation na lang ng events that happened.”
The game official was said to have been beaten up by fans at the venue and has already undergone medico legal procedure. The incident was also reported to the police.
The NCAA has withheld the identity of the referee and the persons purportedly responsible for the attack until the investigation is completed.
Amores, now making the most of a second chance with NorthPort in the PBA, was meted an indefinite suspension by the league two seasons ago for his stunning behavior in the ugly fracas that saw him charge CSB’s bench and throw punches at everyone that he crossed paths with.
As for the possible repercussions, the league’s current policy regarding sanctions only covers the players, coaches, and even the referees. Fans, however, may be banished from venues.
Based on accounts from other spectators and cagers present at the Pasay-based venue, the fate of the referee–who was just doing his job to bring food to the table for his family–was certainly a harrowing one.
It’s now up to the NCAA to crack the whip on the lawbreakers.
