DLSU to act only after UAAP verdict

What’s De La Salle University thinking?

Several days after leaving its fate to the UAAP board by announcing it will not file a leave of absence in all sports, La Salle had a sudden change of heart and decided to make its move only after the league had come up with a final verdict.

"DLSU would like to clarify earlier reports regarding the UAAP issue. It will wait for the UAAP to conclude its investigation after which, DLSU will decide its next course of action," La Salle said in a statement.

The recent media advisory was a retraction to La Salle’s earlier statements that it would just leave it up to the board chaired by Fr. Max Rendon, CM, of Adamson to decide on the eligibility scandal the school is involved in.

"La Salle has decided to leave the final decision to the UAAP board whether to suspend La Salle in all events in the 69th UAAP season or consider La Salle’s leave of absence in men’s basketball only," La Salle said in a statement released Wednesday.

It came a day after La Salle’s board of trustees and top officials met on the Taft campus. Bro. Armin Lluistro, La Salle system president, and Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, vice president for academic affairs, attended the meeting.

A source said La Salle might reiterate its request for a leave in basketball despite being turned down and told the first time to take leave in all events since under league rules, a school will not be allowed to participate in other events if it couldn’t field a team in the mandatory sports of basketball and volleyball.

Or, La Salle could be contemplating on seeking redress in court should the board decide to slap it a one-year suspension as it insisted it has no knowledge in fielding in two ineligible players–Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian–during the 2003-2004 seasons.

"That’s one option," said the same source.

The adhoc committee headed by Fr. Ermito de Sagon, OP, of Santo Tomas is on the verge of wrapping up its inquiry and might be making a recommendation before the month ends.

"We’re still interviewing a few more personalities," said de Sagon in an earlier statement.

The recommendation could be pointing at a one-year suspension, the same punishment slapped on Adamson in 1994 for fielding in Marlou Aquino despite academic deficiencies.