Suspensions up vs erring NC cagers

NCAA commissioner Ricky Palou yesterday recommended that Perpetual Help’s Dean Apor and Letran’s Frederick Rodriguez be slapped a one-game suspension each for unsportsmanlike conduct in a game won by the Knights over the Altas Friday.

Apor was ejected after punching Rodriguez in the cheek in retaliation for an elbow the latter threw at the former’s face in a rebound scuffle. Rodriguez was only called a technical foul in that game but he will also be suspended like Apor for instigating the incident.

"Nakita sa video, diniin ni Rodriguez ’yung siko niya kay Apor kaya gumante ’yung isa," Palou told The STAR.

"We’ve already made our recommendations to the NCAA Management Committee and we expect the decision to come soon because we will not tolerate this kind of behavior."

Palou said Perpetual Help coach Arturo "Bai" Cristobal is going to appeal the suspension since the Altas are already playing undermanned with an 11-man line-up plus injuries to Ferdinand Ali-Ali and talented sophomore Vladimir Joe.

Ali-Ali is still recovering from an ACL injury that sidelined him the whole of last season while Joe is a doubtful starter in the Altas’ game versus the San Sebastian Stags on Wednesday at the Makati Coliseum.

It can be recalled that the two squads attracted the Mancom’s attention after Enrile spat at Javier that resulted to a one-game suspension.

For the host team, it was the third time suspension following similar penalties slapped on Cristobal and an assistant coach for disrespecting game officials.

Meanwhile, action in the 80th NCAA basketball tournament resumes today with San Beda and Philippine Christian U taking on Jose Rizal and St. Benilde, respectively, for a share of third spot with host Perpetual Help at the Makati Coliseum.

Tied at No. 4 spot with 5-4 (win-loss) slates, the offense-minded Red Lions battle the Heavy Bombers (3-6) at 4 p.m. while the defense-oriented Dolphins clash with the Blazers (0-9) at 1 p.m. — Joey Villar