Ugly brawl mars St. Benilde-JRU game

MANILA, Philippines — St. Benilde crushed Jose Rizal University, 71-51, in a fight-marred and abbreviated contest yesterday to keep its hold of second place in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The game was stopped with 3:22 left on the clock after JRU’s John Amores lost his cool and went on a punching spree in front of the CSB bench. Facing retaliation, he punched anybody in white, including Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis, who fell to the ground.

Amores, who also figured in a nasty fight with Mark Gil Bautista of the University of the Philippines in a preseason tournament last July, hit four St. Benilde players before he was finally restrained.

Benches cleared. It was an ugly scene.

Both team representatives, Dax Castellano of CSB and JRU’s Paul Supan, agreed to halt the game for good.

“The primary consideration is the safety of players, coaches, fans and all the people who are in the venue,” said NCAA management committee member Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, of Letran.

“We consulted both teams and we chose the higher ground,” he added.

The Blazers improved to 10-3, or half a game behind the pace-setting Letran Knights (11-3) while the Bombers dropped to 6-7.

The league is expected to investigate the incident deeply and should crack the whip on Amores for his unfortunate behavior.

Amores may face a permanent ban from the NCAA.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College showed endgame poise as it repulsed University of Perpetual Help, 59-53, to claim its second win against 13 defeats.

Art Cosa led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds while JC Luciano had 12 points, nine boards, four assists and two steals in helping the Generals preserve the triumph.

“I was stressing resiliency to the boys the whole game and I’m happy they responded,” said EAC coach Oliver Bunyi.

The Altas dropped to 5-9.

Amores also has a history of misbehavior as he once punched a University of the Philippines player in a collegiate pre-season game last July.

Amores hit CSB’s Jimboy Pasturan, Taine Davis and Mark Sangco. He also threw one against Migz Oczon but did not connect.

Of the players he punched, it was Pasturan who received the most solid one as he went sprawling down the floor and needed time before he stood up.

He is expected to be meted sanctions, possibly a ban for his behavior.