NC meets on SBC, SSC appeal

MANILA, Philippines - The NCAA policy board will decide today on San Beda and San Sebastian’s motions seeking to reduce the sanctions slapped on their players and coaches for their involvement in a brawl during a volleyball game in San Beda last December.

First on the table is the Lions’ appeal to reduce the penalty slapped on foreign players Nigerian Ola Adeogun and American Julius Armon and eight other suspended local cagers for taking part in the fracas, management committee chair Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, of Season 88 host Letran told The STAR yesterday.

The Stags have also appealed the two-year ban meted on SSC volley coach Roger Gorayeb.

San Beda is seeking a two- or three-game suspension on Adeogun and Armon instead of one year.

Also on appeal are the two-game suspensions issued to Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza, Rysie Koga, Rome dela Rosa, Jose Carmelo Lim, Baser Amer and Antonio Caram.

“The school is appealing for the reduction of their punishments,” said San Beda athletic director Ato Badolato.

The board will also discuss the “no foreign player” policy to be implemented after a three-year transition period.

The 2014 schedule is being proposed to give member schools a two-year transition period wherein they could form an all-Filipino team.

However, the new ruling does not cover foreign players who have been recruited before its approval, including Adeogun and Armon, who already underwent years of residency and are expected to see action this year.

The league is also expected to officially forge a three-year partnership with TV 5’s sports channel AKTV on IBC 13.

The new partnership marks the first time that the NCAA will go on a collision course with the UAAP as the former is holding its basketball games on the same days as the latter.

“We’ll be holding our games on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and we’re planning to add a game or two on a Sunday or just before the PBA games,” said Calvo.

Calvo said they’re also planning to hold out-of-town games this year and at venues owned by NCAA members’ sister schools in the provinces to widen its fan base all over the country.