Watching Jose Rizal University senior John Amores go on a punching spree on members of College of Saint Benilde’s seniors basketball team evoked uncomfortable memories for members of the University of the Philippines.
It was just last July 26 that Amores beat UP-commit Mark Belmonte up during a preseason game organized by the University and Colleges Basketball League.
Seeing what happened on Tuesday, NoWhereToGoBut UP chairman Renan Dalisay went to social media to express that the incident could have been avoided if only school officials of Jose Rizal University took “proactive steps” to help Amores.
“After the punching incident involving UP’s very young recruit Mark Belmonte who was just 18 years old at that time, the UPMBT Management decided to take action to avoid future incidents from happening,” read Dalisay’s post.
“The unfortunate incident this afternoon where some CSB players were seriously injured could have been avoided if the school administration and the coaching staff of JRU acted swiftly on the matter. We expected JRU to take proactive steps.”
Dalisay also posted the letter they sent to JRU president Dr. Vicente Katigbak Fabella, requesting that the school conducts an internal investigation on the incident that happened SGS Gym in Quezon City.
“We would like to request your office to conduct an internal investigation on the matter and impose the appropriate disciplinary action on the erring student-athlete. The action of this student-athlete has tarnished the good name and reputation of the university and has caused physical and psychological damage to another student-athlete,” read the letter penned by UP Men’s Basketball team manager Atty. Agaton Uvero.
“Any disciplinary action taken should give notice to student-athletes that such violent behavior can never be tolerated nor condoned by any academic institution.”
UP also kindly asked the school to reimburse the medical expenses incurred by Belmonte, who had to undergo surgery after the game.
In response, JRU legal counsel Atty. Manuel Quiambao said that their university is continuing its inquiry into the incident with the hope of establishing the facts and determining any liability.
“We must assure you that we will be very objective in this effort,” closed the response.
Amores was still fielded by JRU in the ongoing NCAA Season 98 tournament.
Now, Belmonte has filed criminal charges against Amores as well, according to Dalisay.
“But since nothing came out of our efforts with the school’s administration, we were morally bound to file a criminal case against JRU player John Amores,” closed Dalisay’s post.
