The wake of the brawl between members of Jose Rizal University and College of Saint Benilde has devastated the Heavy Bombers.
Besides John Amores – who received an indefinite suspension for multiple infractions – 11 other JRU players were suspended.
Jason Tan, Joshua Guiab, Jason Celis, Marwin Dionisio, John Mark Abauag, Jonathan Medina, Karl De Jesus, and CJ Gonzales received one-game bans for entering the playing court without recognition by table officials.
Meanwhile, Ryan Arenal received a two-game suspension for committing disrespectful acts before ManCom representatives could pacify participants.
On the other hand, William Sy received a three-game suspension for entering the playing court without recognition by table officials; and for committing disrespectful acts before ManCom representatives could pacify participants.
This leaves Louie Gonzalez with just six players from their active roster – namely JL Delos Santos, Ry Dela Rosa, Agem Miranda, Joshua Guiab, Mark Joson, and Pauloh Villarin – for their game against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Friday.
Meanwhile, JRU also has two reserves in Jed Mercado and Janwell Famaranco.
Still, the NCAA will let the team play with six players – the minimum number of players a team can field in a game.
“Six players, they can still play,” said Fr. Vic Calvo, OP of Letran, who is also a member of the three-man investigation committee of the league.
But the investigation is still not over, according to Calvo.
In the next meeting, the three-man committee – that also has Peter Cayco of Arellano and Hercules Callanta of Lyceum – will tackle the sanctions for the personnel, staff, and even a fan who either did not handle the Tuesday brawl well or were directly involved in it.
“With the next meeting, we will have the additional sanctions for referees, security personnel, lahat yun,” he said.
“We have also identified the fan, it’s the brother of Mark Sangco. So, he admitted, doing foul gestures, and language towards John Amores.”