UAAP: Look into suspended players as well, says Ateneo board rep

In the light of the inquiry by the University of the East Red Warriors against Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol, the reigning UAAP champs have urged the UAAP board to also take a look at several players who have been suspended in the past few weeks.

GMA News Online obtained a copy of a letter that will be submitted by board representative Ricky Palou, wherein he inquires as to the presence of UE Red Warriors back-up guard Ralf Olivares, during their match last Sunday.

Olivares was serving the second of a two-game suspension slapped on him by commissioner Chito Loyzaga. According to Palou, Olivares was seated behind the Warriors bench, which he believes, is in violation of his suspension.

The rule Palou refers to is the first under section 12, which reads, "A suspended athlete shall not be allowed to sit in the bench and its immediate vicinity during the period of suspension. A violation of the condition of the suspension shall result in the forfeiture of the game where such suspended athlete was found present."

Invoking the same clause, Palou called for a broader inquiry into the presence of RR Garcia (FEU), Charles Mammie (UE), Lord Casajeros (UE) and Thomas Torres (DLSU). Each player served suspensions due to varying circumstances, but were sighted at the game venue either "sitting on the bench" or "in the immediate vicinity of the bench."

Ateneo also called for similar investigations in the Women's and Juniors' divisions.

It is unlikely though that these investigations will wind up in forfeitures of games. For one, teams are given just a 24-hour window following a match, to subject the result to a protest. The above games, save for the UE vs ADMU match, all took place several days ago.

Furthermore, the main topic of contention will be the vagueness of the word "immediate vicinity" as it does not prescribe a minimum amount of distance between the bench and the suspended player.

Earlier Monday, UE board representatives filed a letter with the UAAP board, questioning Perasol's presence during the Warriors-Eagle game, while serving a one-match ban.

Ateneo won that game, 77-72.

According to the Red Warriors, having Perasol inside the MOA Arena violates rule number two in section 12, which reads, "The presence of a suspended coach, manager, assistant manager, statistician, scorers, masseurs, etc. and those listed as members of the team shall not be allowed in the bench or venue dining the period of suspension. A violation of the condition of the suspension shall result in the forfeiture of the game where such suspended team official or member was found present." - AMD, GMA News