Readers react to La Salle row

A lot of readers sent in texts yesterday expressing their sentiments on the La Salle scandal involving two academically ineligible senior varsity basketball players.

Here’s what they said.

Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, who attended La Salle Greenhills high school and earned his Liberal Arts (major in political science) and law degrees at Ateneo: "The theme of closing ranks and total investigation is correct. I also think the UAAP Board should take a more urgent, proactive stance."

Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad: "I agree that delicadeza should be the order of the day."

Far Eastern University varsity basketball team manager and UAAP Board of Trustees member Anton Montinola: "Excellent column summarizing all relevant points for the public to digest. Everyone is hoping that La Salle will act decisively."

La Salle and Ateneo alumnus Carlos (Bobong) Velez: "(Your column) should have been a position paper given to Bro. Armin right away. Hopefully, he takes it to heart even now."

Advertising executive and La Salle alumnus Adie Peña: "Very spot on. I hope it reaches the guys concerned. Thanks so much for an honest and forthright article."

Former La Salle player and Red Bull assistant coach Gee Abanilla: "I guess the article gave the readers a different perspective about the issues involved. However, I feel that people will still not agree on certain issues."

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee finance officer, former Philippine Sports Commission commissioner and La Salle alumnus Freddie Mendoza: "Very factual but you could have been more specific as to what to do instead of listing possibilities."

Former La Salle coach who preferred to remain anonymous: "I think your column may have disappointed many who want Franz (Pumaren) and his staff out. I feel that all these problems are pointing to Franz and his group. The negative perception on Franz has grown so bad that no amount of justification will change it. The La Salle team, since Franz took over, has had no program at all except to recruit mercenaries for instant championships. No foundation was ever built. Right or wrong, I feel Franz should leave to restore La Salle’s image. And it’s time for La Salle to start a new beginning where championships should be won via the proper process. And lastly, La Salle should not be coached by a politician. That alone could be an issue against Franz. These are just my personal views and I could be wrong."

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Former three-time Olympic cager Ramoncito Campos phoned to clarify that La Salle’s Office of Sports Development (OSD) has nothing to do with the procurement of a student athlete’s academic records.

Campos, 79, resigned as assistant to OSD director Danny Jose last May. Jose was later appointed assistant to new OSD director Bro. Bobby Casingal. Aside from Campos, accountant Ting Tan also left the OSD.

Campos said the OSD provides copies of every player’s academic records to the UAAP Board to certify eligibility. With regard to Philippine Educational Placement (PEP) test certificates, Campos said the OSD is provided only by the university registrar with copies which are copied in turn for submission to the UAAP Board.

"Determining whether a PEP test certificate is genuine or not can only be done by the Department of Education using a special lamp to check on the authenticity of the document," said Campos. "The university registrar cannot verify the certificate on his own."

Campos said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren stipulated two conditions for returning to the Archers bench this season. "First, he wanted a three-year contract which was agreed upon verbally and second, he wanted the varsity team out of the OSD’s jurisdiction because he couldn’t get along with Danny," said Campos. "Since it was impossible to take out the varsity team from the OSD, Danny was replaced as director and made an assistant."

Campos said La Salle’s fact-finding committee formed to investigate the scandal is guilty of "a little whitewash."

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