UAAP imposes one-year ban on La Salle

[BoEinG_747]

Tama lang na may punishment. Inamin o hindi may mali na nangyari. Will you not punish a criminal who admits to a crime? Adamson had an inelegible player while DLSU had two, bawi lang. But this may destroy the basketball program of DLSU. Look what happened to Adamnson, good players didnt want to go there because of the tarnished name.

Nadamay ang lahat ng sports because of the decisions made by their fellow La Sallites. They can't really blame anyone. This was a risk they took when they made the decision to field Benitez and Gatchalian.

BTW, heard Arana is no longer with the team. He got kicked out of DLSU.

malas lang ng La Salle ,sila ang una naputukan ng mga pag field ng inelegible na player,pagdusahan na lang nila One Year lang iyan ,
sorry na lang talaga doon sa mga ibang athlete nila
re Arana dami yata mga bagsak na subject kaya na na kick out ,dami na man sila promising na player from their junior rank,tamang tama by next year iyon (wag lang mag transfer sa susunod na school year)

[BoEinG_747]

tapos na ang one year ban sa DLSU Archers ready to play na sila next season sa UAAP..ganda labanan na naman nito

[neko-chan]

meron daw di kinilalang university na gusto pang gawin 2 years ang ban ng lasalle. dahil ba 2 ang players na sangkot? wonder which university it is hehehe. heard it from abs-cbn news. pero unfair naman diba bat pati ibang sports aside from men's basketball damay???

[kyle618]

haha too bad for us! basta i can play in DLSU sports complex

[bajumbo]

sad so sad... marami pa namang athletes ang nagbabanat ng buto para sa scholarship at chance to play tapos ganito nangyari... a lesson to be learned... di nga fault ng legit players kaso fault ng DLSU un sa management.

[mazdamazda]

Quinito Henson sums it all up nicely:

Green and bear it
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
The Philippine Star 04/23/2006

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) unanimous decision to suspend La Salle for a year, starting this coming season, in all sports was hardly unexpected.

Although there were rumblings that La Salle would be allowed to play on probation or only its basketball program would be suspended as the school had earlier requested for a leave of absence, nobody was surprised when the Board swung the executioner’s axe.

Leaking the information that it could’ve been a two-year suspension instead was no consolation. And the extraordinarily long period of investigation before arriving at the decision was no consolation either even as it appeared to indicate an exhaustive probe and lots of soul-searching and sleepless nights.

It was clear that as soon as La Salle voluntarily admitted the recruitment of two academically ineligible players in its seniors varsity basketball roster the last three years, the Archers were goners.

For opening its mouth, La Salle was dealt a blow to the heart. For being honest, La Salle shot itself in the foot. For cleaning house, La Salle was suspended because if not, it would’ve opened a Pandora’s box and encouraged other schools to be as transparent–and in a league where you can be sure of skeletons in the closet, the unwritten code is to keep quiet at all costs.

I wonder if those who cast the first stones at La Salle can look at themselves in the mirror without cringing in shame.

To appeal the suspension would be a futile exercise for La Salle.

Never mind if under the UAAP rules, the only basis for suspension is complicity of the school and La Salle was cited for negligence.

Never mind if suspension in all sports does not seem to be a commensurate penalty for the "crime" of negligence.

Never mind if La Salle was never sent a charge sheet signed by an accusing school, as required by Board rules, and never given a chance to defend itself.

Never mind if due process was not administered.

Never mind if the innocent players in other sports will be penalized by such a sweeping suspension.

Never mind if the guiltless, graduating athletes in other sports will not be allowed their swan song because of a decision that appears heartless, harsh and inappropriate.

Never mind if La Salle volunteered the damaging information, without provocation, and was not caught hiding the truth by an external party.

Never mind if other schools that may uncover ineligible athletes in their rosters will now be inclined to sweep the dirt under the rug or else suffer a similar fate.

Never mind if the suspension is a direct attack at the integrity of a school of high repute.

Never mind if the standard penalty for using an ineligible player is the forfeiture of games and La Salle has, in fact, surrendered its championship trophy in 2004 and given up its second-place points in senior men’s basketball, resulting in sliding from second to third place in the overall UAAP standings.

Never mind if the suspension questions the spirit of fair play in the UAAP Board.

Never mind if La Salle, by requesting a leave of absence from senior men’s basketball, appealed to the conscience of the UAAP Board in its attempt to spare the innocent athletes from other sports and was denied.

Never mind if other schools may be involved in recruiting anomalies, such as not subjecting athletes to entrance exams, and are wallowing in their self-righteousness while appearing to be above suspicion like Caesar’s wife.

Never mind if the UAAP Board is supposed to be composed of honorable men and women who believe in sportsmanship, upholding the rules of the league and justice for all.

The suspension delivers a wrong signal to schools that honesty isn’t the best policy if ever they uncover recruitment anomalies involving varsity athletes–that if you get caught doing something illegal, too bad but if you don’t get caught, it’s fine.

Whether the decision was tainted by treachery or bias or injustice is something that can only be established by the UAAP Board in its heart of hearts.

One thing’s for sure, a dark chapter has found its way in the UAAP history books. This was certainly not a positive milestone for the league.

Although La Salle president Bro. Armin Luistro has threatened to go all the way to the Supreme Court to fight the suspension, he should rethink his position. Taking court action will only aggravate the situation and put athletes in the middle of a political battle. It is as useless to appeal the suspension before the UAAP Board as it is to seek redress from the courts. The only sensible thing for La Salle to do is to grin and bear it and prepare for a spirited comeback in 2007-08.

La Salle can walk away from this harrowing experience with a clear conscience. I’m not sure if the executioners in the UAAP Board can do the same.

As what have been said... the standard penalty for using ineligble players is only the forfeiture of games. La Salle has already surrendered its basketball crown & championship points. They also volunteered to suspend only its basketball program for next year.

And no charge sheet has been brought forward.

Tsk tsk tsk.

[johnnyd]

let's just "green & bear it".

[Isuzoom]

GMA cheated, Bro. Armin cheated....pareho lang pala kayo eh...

[kimpOy]

ang haba ng training camp ng LaSalle hanggang next year pa...he..he

[baludoy]

hmmm...i think quinito "the dean" henson conveniently forgot to write: never mind if bro armin and company were sitting on the information that the deped has confirmed that benitez's and gatchalian's papers were faulty and dubious several months before this season's uaap bball championships

right or wrong, johnnyd is right.it's time to just "green and bear it"

[mazdamazda]

hmmm...i think quinito "the dean" henson conveniently forgot to write: never mind if bro armin and company were sitting on the information that the deped has confirmed that benitez's and gatchalian's papers were faulty and dubious several months before this season's uaap bball championships

right or wrong, johnnyd is right.it's time to just "green and bear it"

Err... but did anyone formally complain about the papers of those two players?

[scarab]

Err... but did anyone formally complain about the papers of those two players?

....hehehe... walang may kayang mag-cast nung first stones...

[nicolodeon]

I think this is quite unfair for the other athletes of La Salle - lalo na dun sa mga graduating this year/season. Bakit ginawa naman nilang blanket punishment? Wawa naman yung legit players sa ibang sports.

Oh well, the only thing the Big Green Machine can do is hunker down, suck-it up, re-group, re-plan and come out with all guns a'blazing a season from now.

[johnnyd]

I think this is quite unfair for the other athletes of La Salle - lalo na dun sa mga graduating this year/season. Bakit ginawa naman nilang blanket punishment? Wawa naman yung legit players sa ibang sports.

Oh well, the only thing the Big Green Machine can do is hunker down, suck-it up, re-group, re-plan and come out with all guns a'blazing a season from now.

yup, its unfair to the other athletes pero who said the world is fair, di ba? wala kang laban kasi it is the UAAP's policy that we are talking about. kung nasusulat, patay kang bata ka. anyway, its still ANIMO LA SALLE!

[laklak]

anyword if atkins and company would stay on for season 70?

[boybi]

what will happen to those students studying under varsity scholarship programs, especially those graduating this school year? will they still enjoy being scholars now that DLSU will not be playing in any UAAP games?

[johnnyd]

Copied from greenarcher.net

Statement from Jose S. Tanjuatco
DLSU Representative to the UAAP Board of Trustees

Introduction

Over the past few days, you have requested for my comments about the UAAP decision to suspend DLSU from all sporting events for a period of one year. As promised I am now meeting with you to give my comment. To be clear on the matter, I am issuing the following statement in my individual capacity. It is not a statement for and on behalf of DLSU.

My Statement

The UAAP Board of Trustees meeting was held last Friday, April 21. The discussion about the DLSU matter started at around 11:30 a.m..

The UAAP Fact Finding Committee report was discussed. I am not at liberty to furnish you with copies. But suffice it to say that the report did not:

reach a conclusion as to who are the guilty parties;

specify charges against DLSU; and

provide for a recommendation to the UAAP Board of Trustees.

On or about 3:00 p.m., the UAAP President asked us (Mr. Daniel Jose
and I) to leave the meeting room so that the other board members can decide and vote on the DLSU matter.

We requested for clarification on what will be voted upon. We were informed that the board will vote on possible sanctions to be imposed upon DLSU. We then asked if the sanctions include a possible suspension. The reply was Yes.

But based on what charges? We pointed out that charges have not been filed against DLSU, not by any member university, not by the UAAP fact finding Committee, nor by the UAAP Board of Trustees.

We further explained that due process must be observed. Charges must first be filed, then DLSU is given reasonable time to reply to the charges and then and only then can a decision be rendered. Sensing that some seemed unconvinced, we gave the simple example of a game placed under protest. The member university against whom the protest was filed is informed of the basis of the protest and is given reasonable time to present its counter arguments. It is only after these that a decision is rendered. We reiterated that due process must always be observed, most specially in a very serious matter as a possible suspension.

We asked the Board's indulgence and read Section 9; Article II of the UAAP Constitution and by-laws:

"Any member of the Association may file charges against a Member University by filing a written complaint with the President of the Association. The Board of Trustees shall call a special meeting of the Board to consider the charges. The affirmative vote of æ of all the Member Universities shall be necessary to suspend and expel a member."

(Underscoring ours)

We stressed that in addition to observing due process, the UAAP Board of Trustees must ensure that it is in strict compliance with and adherence to the UAAP Constitution and by-laws. One board member remarked that we were being too technical. We assured the board that we were not, nor were we being too legalistic. We cited that it is the basic right of any person or institution to first be charged, be given the opportunity to refute the charges before being subjected to judgment. Failure to observe this will open the UAAP board to criticism and its decision may be questioned.

Before leaving the meeting room, we sought to be assured that what will be deliberated upon are the charges to be filed against DLSU, and that the board will not yet vote on sanctions against DLSU. One board member confirmed that we will be given a list of charges consequent to their deliberations. Another board member added that the complaint or charges will be in writing. No board member said otherwise. As we left the meeting room at around 3:00 p.m., we remarked that we leave the room premised on the foregoing.

Around 4:30 p.m., we were invited back to the meeting room. Instead of preparing and furnishing us with the list of charges (or a written complaint), the UAAP Board summarily decided, declared DLSU guilty and imposed the penalty of one year suspension covering all sporting events.

Many will call this treachery. I would rather focus the discussion on the following points:

DLSU was denied due process.

The UAAP board's non compliance with and non adherence to the UAAP Constitution and by-laws, specifically the provisions governing suspensions.

Based on the foregoing, the UAAP decision raises a lot of questions. Why can it not wait? Why can charges not first be filed? Why can't DLSU be given the opportunity to face its accusers and refute the accusations? Was there a predisposition to suspend DLSU?

It is not far fetched that the UAAP decision may be assailed particularly its impartiality and even its validity.

[CVT]

The truth will set us free...

[nmtin]

Come to think of it, all UAAP schools threw the stone already. They punished DLSU. Rumor has it, DLSU came out with the eligibility issue because some poeple were planning to explode the news. So in order to save face, they came out first. Well it does make sense. Imbes na caught in the act ka, umamin ka na lang, may moral victory ka pa in one way or another.

In my POV, may maling nangyari. People who had the power to make decisions abused it by fielding in inelegible players. They were aware of the possible consequences (suspension from the UAAP or being thrown out), but they continued with their actions. You can't blame the board for suspending DLSU. Blame those who wanted to win at all costs. You can't really compare this to Adamson's case. Both have points to consider. Adamson hid facts, while DLSU came out with it. But Adamson had one player, while DLSU had two... (one is forgivable but two?) something fishy is going on

[Bogeyman]

It was possible that DLSU wasn't even aware of the anomaly, but it doesn't diminish the gravity of the case IMO. Even the lack of complainants doesn't make it any less serious. Sure, they volunteered the information. And it naturally merited a disciplinary action because it indicated negligence on their part. Hindi naman siguro nag-eexpect ang DLSU ng applause, accolades and medals for exposing something wrong in their own backyard, especially since the revelation was already made after the fact. That's a bit too much.

Ang matindi nito, once the UAAP board starts investigating all the other universities, baka NU na lang ang lumabas na walang kasalanan.