Big relief for La Salle: Case not on agenda

The UAAP board did not tackle anything about the ongoing investigation of an ad hoc committee on alleged spurious academic documents of two La Salle players simply because it was not on the agenda.

Only taken up in the regular meeting attended by representatives of the UAAP member schools at the Casino Espanol yesterday were the league rules, transactions and other matters concerning the holding of the UAAP competitions for the second semester.

In the same board meeting, it was decided that the annual UAAP Awards will be held March 8 at the Adamson University. The turnover from Adamson to Season 69 host UE will take place on the same day.

Meanwhile, a source said La Salle reportedly decided to defer its plan to submit a letter asking the board to allow the school to take a leave of absence in the next UAAP season since the issue on the cage scam was not on the agenda.

La Salle, according to another source, had earlier considered filing for a leave of absence in the aftermath of the cage imbroglio that rocked not only the school but the league as well.

It even thought of asking the board to allow La Salle to participate in all sports except basketball although under the UAAP rules, basketball and volleyball are mandatory sports for one school to be able to participate in the collegiate league.

La Salle found itself on the spotlight when it admitted to have unknowingly fielded in two players with spurious documents during the 2004-2005 basketball season. A number of officials, led by varsity coach Franz Pumaren, resigned last year to give the school a free hand to institute reforms.

The ad hoc committee, chaired by Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P. of Santo Tomas, is expected to conclude its probe next month. The fact-finding body’s other members are Josie de Leon of Far Eastern U, Arlene Royo of National U, Ric Matibag of Adamson and league counsel Rene Maria Villa.

Dr. Ricardo Matibag, UAAP secretary treasurer, assured the board will bare the results/recommendations/decisions of the fact-finding committee when the board meets in the last week of February.

The board decided not to make any statement on the La Salle players’ issue to avoid meddling with the fact-finding body’s ongoing investigation.