Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang of Letran were slapped with one-game suspension following their recent actions during the Knights' 67-62 win against the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The suspension was in line with FIBA and NCAA Ground Rules as the NCAA Season 98 basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante released an official statement Wednesday, Sept. 28.
"I hope I've enlightened everyone and to those directly concerned, please be proficient on the rules first before uttering baseless accusations on the Game Officials and the Commissioner's Office," said Pujante in the statement.
"I strongly denounce violence of any form in and outside the playing court. Rest assured I've addressed this with utmost objectivity and compassion."
Paraiso, upon thorough review, intentionally hit Mapua's Adrian Nocum at the back of his head with an elbow midway through the payoff period "which is a deliberate act of violence and not a legitimate basketball play."
The two figured in a short entanglement heading into the floor when Paraiso was seen throwing an elbow.
Sangalang, for his part, had already committed two technical fouls with the second one taunting the Mapua side after its turnover in the waning seconds.
And as for NCAA Ground Rules Art. 7.2, "a player who is thrown out of the game by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct in any game will be suspended for one game implemented immediately on the next scheduled team game."
This meant that Paraiso and Sangalang won't see action on Friday, Sept. 30, when the Knights take on the San Beda Red Lions in their 3 p.m. affair.