NCAA Mancom suspends on 21 players and officials for brawl

This took place with just under a half-a-minute remaining left in the game, with Emilio Aguinaldo College on their way to securing the victory over Mapua Institute of Technology.



In the aftermath of the brawl that marred the ending of the game between MIT and EAC, the NCAA Management Committee (ManCom) handed down suspensions to seventeen players from both schools.

John Tayongtong received the stiffest penalty, a five-game suspension after throwing a punch to CJ Isit. Leo Gabo received the harshest penalty for the Cardinals, a four-game suspension for the push on Tayongtong.

The other players receiving suspensions are as follows:

Three games for EAC’s Jan Jamon, Ariel Aguilar, Jack Arquero and Sidney Onwubere, as well as Mapua’s Jomari Tubiano.
Two games for Mapua's Justin Serrano, James Galoso, Exeq Biteng and Andoy Estrella, as well as EAC’s John Santos, Manell Quilanita and Edsel Saludo.
One game for EAC’s Faustine Pascual, as well as Mapua’s Jerome Canaynay, Ronnel Villasenor and Darrel Magsigay.

For the Cardinals, this means that they will only have four guys (CJ Isit, Jesse Saitanan, Jeson Cantos and Joseph Eriobu) available in their September 29th meeting against Letran. They will have seven guys available for their October 3 meeting against JRU. And that is still considering that they still have a postponed matchup against a College of Saint Benilde side.

For the Generals, this means that they also will only have four guys (Jerald Serrano, Chris Mejos, Ai Indin and Jozhua General) available in their September 26th meeting against Perpetual. And they will end the season against San Sebastian on September 29 with just five available players. They are already undermanned coming into the past few games due to the sudden departures of Cedric Noube Happi and Igee King.

Accompanying the announcement is a simple statement from NCAA ManCom's Paul Supan:

The Mancom condemns in the highest level the unfortunate incident that occured in the Mapua-EAC game.
Hooliganism has no place in an established league like the NCAA.
Proper sanctions based on league rules will be imposed accordingly.

The referees who had overseen the game did not escape the attention and wrath of the league. NCAA Commissioner Bai Cristobal handed out an undisclosed fine and indefinite suspensions to Molly de Luna, Menard Ballecer and Cholo Caoile. These suspensions are limited to the NCAA and don't carry over to the UAAP, who also happens to employ the same set of officials.

2014-15 PBA D-League Draft Results

Here are the results from the recently-concluded PBA D-League Draft, an event that garnered a little controversy thanks to the final pick

1st round:

1. Cagayan Valley: Moala Tautuaa
2. Tanduay Light: Chris Newsome
3. Cafe France-CEU: Arnold Van Opstal
4. Cebuana Lhullier: Norbert Torres
5. Jumbo Plastic: Kris Rosales
6. M-Builders-FEU: Anthony Hargrove
7. Wang's Basketball: Robert Hainga
8. Racal-St, Clare: Fabren Redoh
9. Hapee-San Beda: Maverick Ahanmisi
10. AMA: Rizalde Angeles
11. MP Hotel: Hernal Escosio
12. Bread Story-Lyceum: John Azores

2nd round:

1. Tanduay Light: Roi Sumang
2. Cagayan Valley: Jonathan Grey
3. Cafe France-CEU: Bong Galanza
4. Cebuana Lhullier: Bradwyn Guinto
5. Jumbo Plastic: Jerramy King
6. M-Builders-FEU: Achie Inigo
7. Wang's Basketball: Joseph Ambohot
8. Racal-St. Clare: Elmer Managuelod
9. Hapee-San Beda: Chris Javier
10. AMA: Josue Diswe
11. MP Hotel: Rashwan McCarthy
12. Bread Story-Lyceum: Joseph Gabayni

3rd Round:

1. Cagayan Valley: Edzel Mag-isa
2. Tanduay Light: Leo De Vera
3. Cafe France-CEU: Yutien Andrada
4. Cebuana Lhullier: Simon Enciso
5. Jumbo Plastic: Sidney Onwubere
6. M-Builders-FEU: Raymar Jose
7. Wang's Basketball: Steve Camaya
8. Racal-St. Clare: Jan Acebron
9. Hapee-San Beda: Nico Elorde
10. AMA: Miggy Magpantay
11. MP Hotel: Dan Alberto
12. Bread Story-Lyceum: Jeb Bulawan

4th Round:

1. Tanduay Light: Gino Jumao-as
2. Cagayan Valley: Mark Olayon
3. Cafe France-CEU: Jonar Huertas
4. Cebuana Lhullier: Almond Vosotros
5. Jumbo Plastic: Joseph Eriobu
6. M-Builders-FEU: Ron Dennison
7. Wang's Basketball: John Pontejos
8.  Racal-St. Clare: Jon Ortuoste
9. Hapee-San Beda: Jeson Cantos
10. AMA: Jayson Jordan
11. MP Hotel: Jeof Acain
12. Bread Story-Lyceum: Sraj Elmejrab

5th Round:

1. Cagayan Valley: Ivan Hernandez
2. Tanduay Light: Ronnie de Leon
3. Cafe France : Tim Habelito
4. Cebuana Lhullier: Carl Ravanes
5. Jumbo Plastic: Jawhar Purdy
6. M-Builders-FEU: Rey Nambatac
7. Wang's Basketball: Javee Mocon
8. Racal-St. Clare: James Mallari
9. Hapee-San Beda: Hesed Gabo
10. AMA: Jezer Calma
11. MP Hotel: Helino Francisco
12. Bread Story-Lyceum: Tirso Lesmoras

6th Round:

1. Tanduay Light: Kent Lao
2. Cagayan Valley: Gwynne Capacio
3. Cebuana Lhullier: Glenn Ayala
4. M-Builders-FEU: JR Gallarza
5. Wang's Basketball: Kevin Lina
6. Racal-St. Clare: John Ambulodto
7. Hapee-San Beda: Mike DiGregorio
8: AMA: Mike Malones
9: MP Hotel: Jopet Quiro
10. Bread Story-Lyceum: Dexter Zamora

7th Round:

1. Cagayan Valley: John Nepomuceno
2. Tanduay Light: Sandy Cenal
3. Cebuana Lhullier: Reje Cartel
4. Wang's Basketball: Morris Pallares
5. Racal-St. Clare: Jon Ibarra
6. Hapee-San Beda: Ranbill Tongco
7. AMA: Jessmar Sabangan
8. MP Hotel: Emman Calo
9. Bread Story-Lyceum: Wilson Baltazar

8th Round:

1. Tanduay Light: Kyles Lao
2. Cagayan Valley: Dhon Reverente
3. Racal-St. Clare: Darwin Lunor
4. Hapee-San Beda: Geron Lontoc
5. AMA: Carlos Dizon
6. MP Hotel: Meylan Landicho
7. Bread Story-Lyceum: Wilson Taladua

9th Round:

1. Cagayan Valley: Aldrei Blanco
2. Tanduay Light: Oda Tampus
3. Racal-St. Clare: Mark Dulalia
4. AMA: Ian Macaranas
5. MP Hotel: Mark Panerio
6. Bread Story-Lyceum: Mark Malabanan


10th Round:

1. Tanduay Light: Dawn Ochea
2. Cagayan Valley: Aldinar Yusop
3. AMA: Paul Cruz
4. MP Hotel: Elvin Chan
5. Bread Story-Lyceum: Joem Lacastestantos

11th Round:

1. Cagayan Valley: Jumabon Bulac
2. AMA: Ermin Discipulo
3. MP Hotel: Chris Masaglang
4. Bread Story-Lyceum: John Lasa

12th Round:




1. AMA: Philip Torres
2. MP Hotel: Lance Abude
3. Bread Story-Lyceum: Marvin Moraga

13th Round:

1. AMA: Ken Ballesteros

14th Round:

1. AMA: Ken Santiago

15th Round:

1. AMA: Daniel Padilla

The Aspirants' Cup will commence on October 27.

Manila leg IPTL tickets now available for purchase

The International Premier Tennis League has finally made available the tickets for the Manila leg of their tournament.

Since September 1, tennis fans can already purchase tickets to the event, which will now take place at the Mall of Asia Arena on November 28-30.

Due to a quick change of events that freed up the venue on those dates, IPTL COO Eric Gottschalk thought that the MOA Arena "is the right fit to host the event," as one of the finest entertainment venues worldwide.

IPTL founder Mahesh Bhupathi adds that having the SM Group as a partner "adds a lot of value to our property and validates the potential of our league," thanking the conglomerate for their long-term commitment to the tournament.

SM Tickets will handle the distribution of tickets, which has already made available 3-day passes that encompasses the entirety of the competition (two matches per day, 4pm and 730pm on each day). The prices of which, are as follows:

EARLY BIRD-VIP = Php 49,000.00
EARLY BIRD-PATRON = Php 40,000.00
EARLY BIRD-LOWER BOX = Php 23,000.00
EARLY BIRD-UPPER BOX = Php 11,500.00
EARLY BIRD-GENERAL ADMISSION = Php 2,500.00

The "Early Bird" promotion will last until September 15. No details yet available with the cost of the one-day passes.

This is the first time that the Philippines will be hosting a tennis event of this magnitude, with different marketing and promotional activities to take place, in line to help maintain awareness on the event as it comes closer.

The Philippines will be represented by the Manila Mavericks, led by Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray, joined by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Kirsten Flipkens, Daniel Nestor, Carlos Moya, and Treat Huey. They will face the UAE Royals, Singapore Slammers and the Indian Aces for the right to take the winning purse of US $1M.

Some of the tennis stars that will be participating in the competition include recently-crown six-time US Open champion Serena Williams, Eugenie Bouchard, Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova.

On the men's side, Tomas Berdych, Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet will be taking part, while also making their presence are tennis greats Goran Ivanisevic and Patrick Rafter.

TMZ releases Ray Rice assault video

During this past offseason, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was involved in an incident where he assaulted his then-fiancee (now wife), Janay Palmer. TMZ on Monday released a video on their website detailing what went down inside the elevator.

Ray Rice -- ELEVATOR KNOCKOUT ... Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch [Video] - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

Roger Goodell suspended Rice two games for this incident, with the backlash from this decision eventually leading into the move to adopt a more stringent protocol for domestic violence matters involving NFL players.

Rice observed the first game of that suspension this past Sunday, a 23-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The second game will be this Thursday (Friday morning in Manila) against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hours after TMZ released of the video, the Ravens have terminated their contract with Rice.

The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014

And the league has placed the Rutgers alum on indefinite suspension.

Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.
— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) September 8, 2014

As a result, Rice, as of the moment, is now out of football.

Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas statement on the eligibility of Gilas Pilipinas players

SBP STATEMENT
RE: IAGOC query on eligibility of 3 Gilas Pilipinas players

In light of clarifications sought by the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee on the eligibility of Gilas Pilipinas players Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger and Andray Blatche, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas has forwarded to the Philippine Olympic Committee pertinent documents providing irrefutable proof as to the qualifications of the three.

In a letter to POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., to whom the IAGOC letter dated Aug. 26 from Mr. Jo Youngha of the Director General of Sports Headquarters was coursed, SBP executive director Renauld Barrios explains:

“Briefly, we say that the Articles 49 and 50 of the OCA do not operate to render our three mentioned players ineligible to play in the 2014 Asian Games.

“Assuming, without conceding, that the three (3) years residency rule in Articles 49 and 50 is applicable to Mr. Norwood and Dillinger, these two are likewise eligible to play in the 2014 Asian Games considering that they have resided in the Philippines for more than three (3) years prior to the 2014 Asian Games. Their old passports are hereunto attached to show that Mr. Norwood and Mr. Dillinger have resided in the Philippines more than three (3) years prior to the 2014 Asian Games."

Mr. Norwood’s old Philippine passport showed it was issued on July 23, 2007 with expiration on July 23, 2012, while Mr. Dillinger’s previous Philippine passport was issued on April 30, 2009 with expiration on April 29, 2014.

PBA operations director Ricardo Santos also issued two certifications dated Aug. 27, the first attesting that “Mr. Gabriel Norwood was drafted by the Rain or Shine Elast Painters in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft and has been playing with the said team up to the present,” and the second confirming that “Mr. Jared Dillinger was drafted by the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft, playing from 2008 to June 13, and was then “trade to the Meralco Bolts on June 10, 2013 and continues to play for the same team up to the present.”

The SBP also submit that the 3 year residency rule of Article 49 and 50 of the OCA Constitution does not apply to Andray Blatche for the following reasons:

MAJOR PREMISE I

OCA Constitution and Rules (attached Articles 49 and 50 – Annex “B”)

We look at Article 49 Eligibility Code as the “mother” provision of the rules on player eligibility – and we quote the FIRST item listed in said Code as follows:

To be eligible for participation in the OCA GAMES, a competitor must:

1. Observe and abide by the Rules of the IOC/ OCA as per Olympic Charter.

• We take note of the specific mention of “... Rules of the IOC/ OCA as per Olympic Charter.”, which means it is of supreme importance that IOC and OCA rules should be consistent with the Olympic Charter.

• We submit that for a basketball player to be eligible to play in the Olympic Games in keeping with the Olympic Charter, a player must necessarily comply with FIBA eligibility rules since these are the basketball player eligibility rules applied for the Olympic Games.

• FIBA player eligibility rules covering “naturalized” players dictate that a “naturalized” player can only play for one (1) country and can NEVER play for any other country forever. There is no “residency” requirement under FIBA eligibility rules.

MAJOR PREMISE II

OLYMPIC CHARTER (attached Bye-Law to Article 40 Par 1, Article 41 and Bye-Law to Article 41 Par 1 and 2 – Annex “C”)

a) Bye- law to Rule 40 Eligibility Code

1. Each IF establishes its sport’s own eligibility criteria in accordance with the Olympic Charter. Such criteria must be submitted to the IOC Executive Board for approval. xx

a) Article 41 Nationality of Competitors

1. Any competitor in the Olympic Games must be a national of the country of the NOC which is entering such competitor.

2. All matters relating to the determination of the country which a competitor may represent in the Olympic Games shall be resolved by the IOC Executive Board. xx

b) Bye- Law to Rule 41

1. A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he may elect. However, after having represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognised by the relevant IF, he may not represent another country unless he meets the conditions set forth in paragraph 2 below that apply to persons who have changed their nationality or acquired a new nationality.

2. A competitor who has represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognised relevant IF, and who has changed his nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in the Olympic Games to represent his new country provided that at least three years have passed since the competitor last represented his former country. This period may be reduced or even cancelled, with the agreement of the NOCs and IF concerned, by the IOC Executive Board, which takes into account the circumstances of each case.

• OCA Rules on three (3) years residence requirement, again, in order to adhere to and make them consistent with the Olympic Charter (see attached Annex “C”), must apply only to those who have played for a FIRST (1st) country and who want to play for a SECOND (2nd) or additional country.
In other words, even if the three (3) year residency rule of the Olympic Charter, for the sake of argument, is applicable to basketball, it shall apply only to the player who opts to play for a 2nd or additional country.

MINOR PREMISE – Re Mr. Andray Blatche

• FIBA has qualified him to be eligible to play for the Philippines as its “naturalized” player for the upcoming 2014 FIBA World Cup and effectively
in all FIBA sanctioned international tournaments, including the Olympic Games (if Philippines qualifies) and Asian Games.

• He has not played for the national team of any other country and is therefore not covered by the 3-year residency requirement under the IOC and/ or OCA eligibility rules, vis –a-vis the Olympic Charter

• Blatche is a current holder of a valid Philippine passport.

• In the Technical Handbook for the Incheon Asian Games for Basketball (Article III Techical Information Section 6 Competition Rules) it states that “general issues” will be covered by OCA rules and that “technical issues” will be covered by IF(FIBA) rules. We further respectfully submit that PLAYER
ELIGIBILITY is a “technical issue” and should therefore follow FIBA PLAYER ELIBILITY rules since IFs have different PLAYER ELIGIBILTY rules from sport to sport – there are no ONE (1) singular PLAYER ELIGIBILITY rules for ALL sports. This is the case for the Olympic Games, in keeping with the Olympic Charter and we trust that OCA rules subscribe to the same policy and position to be consistent with the Olympic Charter, which OCA holds sacred.

Based on the following reasons, the SBP believes Mr. Andray Blatche is eligible to play in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. This is submitted to IAGOC for illumination and understanding.

2014 Gatorade PBA Draft results

Here are results from the just-concluded PBA Draft.

DRAFTING ORDER (1st Round)

1. GlobalPort - Stanley Pringle
2. Rain or Shine - Kevin Alas
3. San Miguel Beer - Ronald Pascual
4. NLEX - Matthew Ganuelas
5. Alaska - Chris Banchero
6. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - Rodney Brondial
7. GlobalPort - Anthony Semerad
8. Barako Bull - Jake Pascual
9. Rain or Shine - Jericho Cruz
10. Barako Bull - David Semerad
11. KIA Motors - Manny Pacquiao
12. Blackwater - Juami Tiongson

DRAFTING ORDER (2nd Round)

13. Alaska Aces - Rome Dela Rosa
14. Rain or Shine - Kevin Espinosa
15. Barako Bull - Philip Paredes
16. Alaska Aces - Junjun Alas
17. GlobalPort - Prince Caperal
18. Barako Bull - Philip Morrison
19. GlobalPort - John Pinto
20. Talk ‘N Text - Harold Arboleda
21. Rain or Shine - Michael Gamboa
22. Barako Bull - Gab Banal
23. Blackwater - Frank Golla
24. Kia Motors - Kyle Pascual

DRAFTING ORDER (3rd Round onwards)

25. KIA Motors - Rene Pacquiao
26. Blackwater - Brian Heruela   
27. Blackwater - Maclean Sabellina   
28. KIA Motors - Kenneth Ighalo   
29. KIA Motors - Paolo Taha   
30. Blackwater - Juneric Baloria   
31. Blackwater - Raul Soyud           
32. KIA Motors - Jeremy Bartolo         

33. KIA Motors - Anthony Gavieres           
34. Blackwater - Clark Bautista           
35. Blackwater - Reneford Ruaya           
36. KIA Motors - Richard Cole           
37. KIA Motors - Victor Giorgio Umali           
38. KIA Motors - Jonathan Banal            39. KIA Motors - Michael Acuna           
40. KIA Motors - Mark Romero41.  KIA Motors - Francis Bercede

Latest on Jayson Castro

The long-awaited update from Vitoria made it to Manila, via Instagram. Assistant coach Josh Reyes provided the update.


The caption reads:

For all those who are asking. MRI revealed no structural damage. Whew! Still swelling in his Achilles, though. Jayson's status is day-to-day. Paul lee is the same status. #parasabayan #gilaspilipinas #prayforgoodhealth

Less than ten days left before the FIBA World Cup begins for the Philippines in Seville.