|
Friday, September 23, 2005
Tagalog, Abellanosa out rest of season; refs for 3 games
By Glenn C. Michelena
Sun.Star Correspondent
The verdict is in.
The Cebu Schools Athletic Association Inc. (Cesafi) suspended University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors guard Ahman James Tagalog and University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters wingman Allain Abellanosa for the rest of the 2005 Cesafi Basketball season yesterday after both players were found responsible for the free-for-all involving both teams last Sept. 11.
In a meeting with the press yesterday, 2005 Cesafi president Jose “Dodong” Gullas approved and signed the recommendation of the league’s legal consultants, lawyer Joseph Baduel and Judge Reynoso Belarmino, to bar both players from playing for their respective schools for the rest of the season.
Another offense of such kind by either player will translate into their permanent banishment from the league.
Gullas, however, said that an appeal from either school is welcome.
“It’s their opportunity (to present other evidence),” Gullas said.
Suspended refs
Gullas also came down hard on the three referees who officiated the brawl-marred game, meting three-game suspensions each on Ernesto Cane, Melvin Caumeran and Godofredo Villaro.
The three officials were suspended for their failure to control the action inside the court.
According to the affidavit, the melee broke out right after Abellanosa chased and engaged Tagalog in a fistfight near the USC bench at the 1:38 mark of the mayhem-filled match. During the commotion, monobloc chairs flew in various directions and a gunshot was even heard.
During the investigation, Abellanosa said he went after Tagalog because the USC guard hit his back when he was huddling with his teammates and immediately ran away.
Abellanosa also said that he and Tagalog trash-talked all game long.
During the investigation, Tagalog denied hitting Abellanosa’s back, but Abellanosa’s statement was corroborated by UC Women’s coach Rex Salvaña and former USC player Julian Macoy, who was in the fateful game.
Abellanosa’s account was also supported by photos of The Freeman photographer Iste Sesante. The photo showed a ready-to-pounce Abellanosa being held back by teammate Kane Abatayo and other teammates, while Tagalog ran away from them.
“Against Abellanosa’s testimony, Tagalog’s denial pales in comparison,” said Cesafi’s affidavit.
Gullas said that when Tagalog hit Abellanosa in the back, Abellanosa was still innocent at that point.
“But when he chased and ultimately engaged in a fight with Tagalog, he was just as guilty as Tagalog,” he said.
No help
The league’s investigating body also criticized the referees for their lack of help during the investigation.
“We deplore the Pontius Pilate attitude of the referees,” the Cesafi’s affidavit said.
“Not one of them, in their written report and during the investigation, saw anything,” said the investigating body’s letter of recommendation. “All their backs were conveniently turned away from where the action was.”
In a related manner, Baduel also shed light on Delfin Pepito’s case.
Pepito, the UV Baby Lancers coach, was suspended by the league last week for throwing a punch at referee Jimmy Ybañez in a high-school division match between UV and USC in Minglanilla last Sept. 8.
Out of respect
Pepito filed an appeal, but eventually sent word to Baduel and Belarmino that he is withdrawing his motion for reconsideration.
“Probably out of respect for Mr. Gullas (who is also the UV president),” said Baduel yesterday.
Ybañez, however, did not escape unscathed. He was also slapped a three-game suspension after he was found guilty of punching Pepito.
“With the development, we can safely say that the case is now moot and academic,” Baduel said.
Abel Bungcaras, Pepito’s assistant coach, will take over the coaching job of the UV Baby Lancers for the rest of the 2005 season, said Gullas.
(September 23, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
