NCAA Mancom vows swift action on 'volley-brawl'

NCAA Season 87 Management Committee (Mancom) chairman Dr. Ramon Credo said Tuesday Mancom members will comprise the panel that would investigate the fight that took place in last Friday’s women’s volleyball match at the San Beda College gym. "We will try our best to fast track the process. We intend to finish the task within two weeks," said Cercado, the athletic director of season host University of Perpetual Help System Dalta. Cercado, who along with several members of the NCAA Mancom and policy board, witnessed the incident. He assured the league that the Mancom will settle the issue swiftly and in a proper manner. “We are appealing to everybody concerned, including the media, for sobriety. To be fair to everyone involved, we have to follow certain procedures to resolve this issue to everyone’s satisfaction,” Cercado said. He had already asked the NCAA volleyball committee to submit an incident report. Ironically, the volleyball committee chairman is San Beda’s Jose Mari Lacson while San Sebastian athletic moderator Frank Gusi is the co-chair. Cercado said that to avoid any biases both Lacson and Gusi will inhibit themselves from the investigating panel tasked to review the report, gather evidences and interview witnesses. The third member is Letran’s Fr. Vic Calvo, who was not there when the fight erupted between San Sebastian College Lady Stags volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb and several members of the San Beda men’s basketball team, including Red Lions mentor Frankie Lim. The investigating committee will then submit its findings to the Mancom, which in turn, will decide on what sanctions to be meted out to those involved in the melee. “We have to be transparent and as democratic as possible in dealing with this issue. But we will act on it immediately as soon as the evidences and the reports have been submitted,” said Cercado. "The NCAA is celebrating its 87th season this year. We have problems in the past. We survived it." Cercado also appealed to players from both schools to remain calm after the incident spilled over during the San Beda-San Sebastian game in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) at The Arena on Monday. San Beda’s Kyle Pascual, with two minutes and 11 seconds left in the game, allegedly elbowed Calvin Abueva, who retaliated by hitting Rome Dela Rosa in the head triggering a bench-clearing incident. Eight players were ejected, leaving both sides with a depleted line-up. The Stags, however, scored an 87-72 win over the Red Lions. Cercado said the Mancom will also investigate the PCCL incident since both teams are NCAA member schools. “But we will have to wait for the full report from (PCCL Commissioiner) Joe Lipa before we can act on it.” — JVP, GMA News