No sanctions on UST, NU yet as UAAP set to reconvene

The UAAP has yet to decide on the fate of its allegedly erring member schools after a four-hour meeting with the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) group concluded on Tuesday, September 1.

Both the UST Growling Tigers basketball team and the National University Lady Bulldogs volleyball team, however, have presented their reports regarding allegations of mid-quarantine training sessions to the JAO group through their representatives.

UST was represented by in-house legal counsel Atty. Alfonso Verzosa and legal coordinator Atty. Elgin Perez. NU athletic director Rustico “Otie” Camangian, meanwhile, represented the Bulldogs.

“The UAAP Board of Managing Directors will convene on Thursday (September 3) to review these reports and tackle other related cases before taking pertinent actions,” a league statement read.

Per the statement, the league acknowledged the efforts of both schools for showing up and participating in the meeting with the UAAP, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Games and Amusements Board. (GAB)

“A copy of the report from UST concerning its basketball team was submitted to the concerned government agencies. UST also reported that UAAP was likewise given a copy. NU answered queries on the incident regarding its volleyball teams and will likewise provide a report to the UAAP,” the statement read.

“The meeting was an important step towards the resolution of these issues that concern student-athletes of UAAP member-schools,” the statement continued.

In a separate statement by the PSC, it said that it will have a separate meeting with the DOH, GAB and CHED for “possible actions” on the two schools.

No date has been set yet for this meeting.

This is yet another chapter in the two week-long Growling Tigers saga sparked by the ouster of team captain CJ Cansino. A total of 5 UST players have since left the team leading up to the Tuesday meeting.

Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller and Brent Paraiso are now mulling their next moves after their exit from the team. Cansino has found a home with the UP Fighting Maroons while reserve guard Jun Asuncion will try his luck with the NCAA’s Mapua Cardinals.

Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs have yet to release a statement on the allegations against them.

UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag and Season 83 president Nonong Calanog represented the league for the Tuesday meeting.

PSC national training director Marc Velasco, DOH reprepresentative Rodley Carza, CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III, and CHED executive director Atty. Cindy Jaro were also present. – Rappler.com