San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora expressed his condemnation of the punching incident that occurred between the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers and the De La Salle - College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers basketball teams during their match on Nov. 8 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 Men's Basketball Tournament.

During the second round of the said match, JRU player John 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 Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis. Amores also shoved another player, Migs Oczon before being sent off the court.

The match was then suspended after the incident, declaring CSB as the winner, 71-51.

"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.

He said police officers from the San Juan City Police Station Substation 4 went to the arena to respond to the incident, which in his words "happened so fast, all within around 1 minute and 26 seconds from the start of the confrontation until one player was escorted by security out of the court."

"A San Juan CPS Desk Officer and an investigator immediately proceeded to the FilOil EcoOil Centre. By then, the players, referees, coaches, officials, and organizers were in discussion on the actions to be taken in compliance with the rules and policies of the NCAA as a governing body. The matter was being handled and resolved by the NCAA at that time, as an organization and as the organizer of the sporting event. The PNP personnel were there and remained in the area to assist anyone who wanted to lodge a complaint or execute an affidavit of complaint," the mayor said.

"The NCAA has its own by-laws and follows a strict code of conduct for its players, officials, and staff. They also have a set of operational procedures for any occurrences. By convention, incidents like this in a sporting event are resolved by the teams and the organizers," he added.

Zamora said in a Viber message that he was informed that some players involved in the incident will file complaints at the San Juan City police station today, Nov. 11.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Nov. 9, the JRU slapped Amores with an indefinite suspension on top of a similar ban handed 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.