Player suspensions force EAC to forfeit game vs Perpetual

MANILA, Philippines – Forfeited.

Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday decided to forfeit its 90th NCAA basketball elimination round game against Perpetual Help scheduled the same day after being left with one less of the five required players for a team to play following the massive suspensions triggered by a free-for-all against Mapua Monday.

After the league handed out the punishments Tuesday, the Generals were left with only four-players – Jozhua General, Jerald Serrano, Christ Mejos and Ai Indin.

General, a rookie, was the only EAC player who was not thrown out after he stayed on the bench during the fracas while Serrano, Mejos and Indin were later spared of suspensions.

"Based on league rules, a game is automatically forfeited if a team has only less than five players," said NCAA Management Committee chair Paul Supan.

The Generals can actually come up with more than five since technically they still have two eligible players in Cameroonian Noube Happi and Igee King. The two, however, have long left the team due to personal reasons.

Among suspended EAC players were John Tayongtong (five games), Jan Jamon (3), Ariel Aguilar (3), Jack Arquero (3), Sydney Onwubere (3), John Santos (2), Manelle Quilanita (2), Edsel Saludo (2) and Faustine Pascual (1).

It marked the first time in six years that the league will see a forfeiture since San Beda’s victory over College of St. Benilde was nullified due to the wrong uniform worn by Nigerian Sam Ekwe.

The league also forfeited former member Phl Christian U’s game against San Beda after the two engaged in another fracas 12 years ago.

The result sent the Generals to a 13th defeat against four wins while handing the Altas their 10th win against six defeats to move to solo fourth spot.

Four-peat champion San Beda leads the league with a 13-3 (win-loss) slate while Arellano U and St. Benilde follow with 11-4 and 10-5 cards, respectively.

EAC, however, will be able to suit up in its last game against San Sebastian although with just five players as Faustine Pascual is set to return from a one-game suspension.

Mapua, for its part, will also forfeit its game against Letran on Monday as it was also left with four players in CJ Isit, Joseph Eriobu, Jessie Saitanan and Jeson Cantos.

Suspended were Leo Gabo (4 games), Jomari Tubiano (3), Justin Serrano (2), James Galoso (2), Exeqiel Biteng (2), Andrew Estrella (2), Jerome Canaynay (1), Ronnel Villasenor (1) and Darrel Magsigay (1).

The tumultuous EAC-Mapua game, which was won by the Generals, 86-77, even though there was still 28.5 seconds to go, also resulted to league commissioner Arturo "Bai" Cristobal meting out fines and suspending indefinitely referees Molly de Luna, Menard Ballecer and Cholo Caoile.