John Tayongtong and CJ Isit. Jeff Venancio.
Neither Emilio Aguinaldo College nor Mapua Institute of Technology had much to play for in their NCAA Season 90 matchup on Monday at The Arena in San Juan, with both teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
But the game between the Generals and the Cardinals could not even get the game finished after a bench-clearing brawl involving players and coaches erupted with 38 seconds left, causing the game to be called off with still 28.5 seconds left in the game.
EAC had the game in the bag, leading 86-77, when Generals point guard John Tayongtong elbowed CJ Isit. That prompted Mapua's Leo Gabo to shove Tayongtong, prompting the brawl.
Tayongtong was caught on video laying down Isit with a punch, before players and coaches from both teams joined the fray.
The referee crew of Maynard Ballecer, Cholo Caoile, and Molly de Luna, as well as bouncers at the venue, were unable to keep the action from escalating.
With almost every member of both teams ejected — only Jessie Saitanan of Mapua and Jozhua General of EAC did not join the brawl — NCAA commissioner Bai Cristobal was forced to halt the game. — JST, GMA News
