Two players of the De La Salle - College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers have filed charges against Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers player John Amores after the latter's rampage during their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 Men’s Basketball Tournament match held on Nov. 8.
The two Blazers, Frederick James Pasturan and Taine Mitchell Davis, went to the San Juan City Prosecutor's Office on Friday, Nov. 11, and filed charges of physical injury against Amores.
During the second round of the match held at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, Amores had an altercation with CSB player Mark Sangco where the latter, despite being stopped by his teammates, rushed and assaulted the Blazer’s bench, punching Pasturan and Davis. Amores also shoved another player, Migs Oczon before being sent off the court.
The match was suspended after the incident, declaring CSB as the winner, 71-51.
CSB coach Charles Tiu served as the witness during the filing of charges against Amores.
"For us, it's just really an unfortunate incident that we felt really could have been avoided if they were able to keep emotions a little bit in check. We felt it's a game won for us," Tiu said in an interview with GMA.
"Tapos na sana and none of this should have happened, and we have guys punched. I guess that's part of life, part of basketball, and I'm just thankful that no other guys got hurt right now," he added.
The coach said that the Blazers is ready to move on from the incident but promised that it will still take proper action.
In a Nov. 9 statement, the JRU said that it has decided to slap Amores with an indefinite suspension on top of a similar ban by the NCAA. The suspension means that he will no longer be playing for the remainder of the basketball tournament.
Amores was also banned from participating in team practices.
“Jose Rizal University, as one of the oldest members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, has always supported the objectives of the association to promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and good values among students of the member schools. In line with this mission, the university does not condone violence in any form,” the statement read.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora also expressed his condemnation of the punching incident.
“As Mayor and as a former athlete and basketball player, I strongly condemn the violence that happened, which was contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie fostered by sporting events such as this. Regardless of the intense emotions from the game and the provocation from others, athletes are expected to maintain proper decorum at all times and show grace under pressure,” Zamora said.