MANILA -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) overturned the two wins of San Sebastian in the men's basketball tournament after it was revealed that one of its players appeared and even saw action in a certain bush league.
In a statement, the league officially declared a forfeiture of the Golden Stags' won games against the CSB Blazers and the JRU Heavy Bombers as a sanction after RK Ilagan was found guilty of playing in a tournament in Quezon City, which is categorized under the so-called ligang labas, along with rookie Letran Knight Koy Galvelo. The Knights were spared from penalties since they imposed their own team ban on him.
Aside from that, the NCAA also handed Ilagan a three-game ban, which will take place at the start of the second round of eliminations as San Sebastian already slapped him with a team suspension, which runs until the end of the team's first-round campaign.
The league disallows players from playing in ligang labas after they are declared eligible to play for the season. The tournament took place a day after the league's management committee held its eligibility meeting.
Because of the forfeiture coupled by their loss to the San Beda Red Lions on Thursday night, the Stags have now found themselves at the bottom of the standings at 1-8 as they already finished their first-round assignments.
On the other hand, the Heavy Bombers, who were winless prior to the verdict, instantly got their first win of the season without sweat.
But on Friday, they added another victory after holding off the EAC Generals, 57-55, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Jed Mendoza had a solid all-around game of 18 points, four rebounds, five assists, and five steals for JRU, but it was Jun Silvanez and Agem Miranda who saved the team's cause with huge blocks down the stretch.
With the forfeiture win secured, CSB even added more boost to its early playoff run after downing Arellano, 70-62.
Justin Gutang made 15 markers, seven boards, and three dimes for the Blazers, which moved up to fourth place with a 5-3 record.
In the nightcap, Lyceum remained unbeaten after eight games after rallying back to beat Letran, 87-82.
MJ Ayaay made 20 points, four caroms, and two swipes for the now 8-0 Pirates, who finished the game on a 17-4 run to steal the victory from the Knights.
JP Calvo tallied 18 markers, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal for Letran, which slipped to fifth place at 4-3.
BOX SCORES
First game
CSB 70: Gutang 15, Carlos 11, Haruna 9, Belgica 8, Domingo 8, Dixon 6, Naboa 6, Young 5, Pasturan 2, Barnes 0, Nayve 0, Velasco 0
ARELLANO 62: Alcoriza 14, Sera Josef 11, Villoria 9, Canete 9, Alban 6, Segura 3, Codinera 3, Concepcion 2, Ongolo Ongolo 2, Santos 2, Sacramento 1, dela Cruz 0, Bayla 0, dela Torre 0
QUARTER SCORES: 16-11, 32-27, 51-46, 70-62
Second game
JRU 57: Mendoza 18, Mallari 12, Esguerra 8, Silvarez 8, Miranda 7, Padua 2, Santos 2, Bordon 0, Doromal 0
EAC 55: Garcia 19, Laminou 10, Diego 6, Bautista 6, Maguliano 4, Gonzales 4, Bugarin 4, Natividad 2, Cadua 0, Mendoza 0, Neri 0, Tampoc 0, Robin 0
QUARTER SCORES: 20-6, 28-23, 47-38, 57-55
Third game
LPU 87: Ayaay 20, Nzeusseu 16, Perez 16, Marcelino JC 10, Santos 9, Marcelino JV 7, Caduyac 6, Tansingco 2, Yong 1, Ibanez 0, Serrano 0, Pretta 0, Cinco 0, Valdez 0
LETRAN 82: Calvo 18, Quinto 13, Muyang 13, Fajarito 12, Ambohot 10, Batiller 10, Balanza 4, Yu 2, Taladua 0, Mandrez 0, Balagasay 0, Agbong 0, Celis 0
QUARTER SCORES: 25-26, 47-39, 58-64, 87-82 (PNA)
