NC sacks coach, ref, cager; matches reset

MANILA, Philippines - The NCAA suspended a coach, a player and a referee, warned four other cagers and banned a fan for their unsportsmanlike acts during the Jose Rizal- Letran contest at The Arena in San Juan City last Monday.

League commissioner Bai Cristobal meted one-game suspensions on Letran mentor Caloy Garcia for incurring two technical fouls, and Letran co-captain Mark Cruz for confronting referee Ian Borbe right after the contest.

Meanwhile, the games pitting Perpetual Help against St. Benilde and SSC versus Arelleno set troday have been reset due to Typhoon Glenda.

Four Knights, including co-skipper Kevin Racalm, Jamil Gabawan, Rey Publico and Rey Nambatac, were warned for violation of the league rule preventing players or coaches to approach officials inside the 30-minute cooling off period.

Borbe, meanwhile, was sacked for three games after he admitted to have used strong language in the incident. Borbe was also automatically suspended for three games in the UAAP where the same set of referees is being used.

Cristobal also recommended to Management Committee chairman Paul Supan to ban for the rest of the season the still unidentified Letran fan who threw trash at Borbe.

“These are NCAA house rules concerning sanctions to coaches and players displaying unsportsmanlike conduct by provocative gesture meant to ignite a brawl or a fight, so we’re just following rules,” said Cristobal.

“Our referee will be suspended in both the NCAA and UAAP and will be re-evaluated upon his return,” he added.

“As for the fan who threw debris at my referee, he we will be denied entry the rest of the tournament as per NCAA house rules. We’re just in the process of identifying him,” said Cristobal.

Letran is reportedly appealing the decision.