By MARK REY MONTEJO

NCAA Season 99 commissioner Tonichi S. Pujante pulled back the levied one-game suspension on Jose Rizal University guard JL Delos Santos who got thrown out during their game against College of St. Benilde on Friday, Sept. 29.

Pujante announced on Sunday, Oct. 1, that the cancellation of the supposed suspension as a thorough review conducted by the league revealed that Delos Santos' elbow did not hit Blazers guard Mark Sangco during one of their heated plays in overtime

Delos Santos was called for an unsportsmanlike foul due to the incident  that occurred with 2:14 remaining in extra period -- an ejection that proved to be costly for the Heavy Bombers who eventually lost the game, 93-85.

“As Commissioner, it is my duty to put things in right perspective. Upon post-game thorough review of the JRU vs CSB matchup last Sept. 29, 2023, it was ascertained that the elbow of JRU player JL Delos Santos did not hit CSB player Mark Sangco. As such, it did not warrant an unsportsmanlike foul,” Pujante said in a statement.

“In this regard, he should not have been thrown out. Thus, there is no one-game suspension,” the league commissioner added.

In addition, Pujante also announced the suspension of the three officiating referees for poor judgment and not utilizing Instant Replay System (IRS) review after the incident.

Curiously, it was also the Heavy Bombers and the Blazers who figured in a heated exchange last season that resulted in an ugly brawl that saw the then JRU forward John Amores go on a punching spree against Benilde’s CJ Flores, Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis.