University of Santo Tomas is conducting its own internal probe on the alleged unauthorized training bubble of its men’s basketball team in Sorsogon.
In Saturday’s meeting between the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) Group and UAAP officials, UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag said the school promised to report to the league their findings following video footages showing violation of medical protocols.
“The group agreed to remind everyone that the utmost importance is the safety of the players/students,” said GAB Chairman Baham Mitra.
The JAO Group, composed of officials from GAB, Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Health, is tasked to realign sports programs during this time of pandemic.
Present in the meeting initiated by the PSC were Mitra, Saguisag, PSC’s National Training Director Marc Velasco, UAAP Season 83 President and La Salle Athletic Director Nonong Calanog, and DOH Representative Rodley Carza.
UST, however, declined the invitation.
Mitra said they agreed to meet again on Wednesday next week for updates.
“We also agreed to follow the procedure of which the GAB investigated the Blackwater team and allowed the PBA to conduct its own probe and impose sanctions before we finally step in,” Mitra added.
In a statement, the PSC expressed its concern for the safety of the athletes and asked for clarifications.
“The PSC recognizes the UAAP as the mother organization of the concerned team and trusts that proper actions shall be done on this matter,” the statement read.
“PSC also reiterated that provisions of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines on physical activities and sport, as well as the Joint Administrative Order issued by the PSC, GAB and the DOH on the resumption of sport must always be observed.”
The UST men’s basketball team is in hot water after videos of players practicing surfaced online on Friday at the height of its key player, CJ Cansino’s stunning departure.