The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Jose Rizal University (JRU) slapped an indefinite suspension against collegiate basketball player John Amores.
The suspension came after Amores, a player of the JRU Heavy Bombers, attacked the bench of the De La Salle - College of St. Benilde Blazers at the middle of a game on Tuesday, November 8, at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
NCAA management committee (ManCom) said that the Heavy Bomber threw punches against four players of St. Benilde, namely Mark Sangco, Frederick Pasturan, Taine Davis, and Miguel Oczon.
The league said that Amores also intentionally bumped a referee, pointed a finger at a referee, disrespected court officials, disrespected JRU ManCom representative Paul Supan, and made provocative gestures meant to ignite a fight or brawl.
"Violence has no place in the NCAA. The ManCom condemns, and wil not tolerate any acts of violence that will endanger our athletes, participants, officials supporters, and the public," the NCAA said in a statement.
Aside from Amores, NCAA also suspended 13 other players: 10 from the side of the Heavy Bombers, and three from the Blazers camp.
NCAA imposed a three game ban against William Sy of the Heavy Bombers, while his teammate Ryan Arena received a two game-susepnsion for 'committing disrespectful acts before ManCom representatives while the representatives were pacifying the participants'.
The league also slapped a one-game suspension against Jason Tan, Joshua Guiab, Jason Celis, Marwin Dionisio, Jan Marc Abaoag, Jonathan Medina, and Karl Bench De Jesus, and Christian Junior Gonzales.
The NCAA said that the eight JRU players and Sy entered the playing court without recognition from table officials during the brawl.
Meanwhile, at the side of St. Benilde, Sangco and Chris Jay Flores received a two-game suspension while their teammate Ladis Lepalam Jr. will not play for one match.
The Jose Rizal University has apologized for the actions of Amores, and said that the school 'does not condone violence in any form'.
"Violence has no part in the sport of basketball, and as a member of the NCAA, we shall continue to uphold the highest ideals of collegiate athletic competitions," the JRU said in a statement.
JRU said that Amores will no longer play for the remainder of the current NCAA season, and that he has also been barred from participating in the practices of the men's basketball team.
The university also promised to conduct an internal inquiry separate from the investigation of the NCAA.
The incident involving Amores forced the NCAA to stop the game between the Heavy Bombers and the Blazers with at least three minutes left in the fourth quarter.
NCAA also decided to award the win to St, Benilde which pushed the school to a 10-3 win-loss record, while JRU, which trailed 71-51 when the game ended, dropped to seven losses and six wins.
