PSC defers to UAAP on action regarding alleged UST training violation

The Philippine Sports Commission has issued a statement on an alleged violation committed by the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team amid community quarantine.

On Saturday, PSC said it recognized the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) “as the mother organization of the concerned team and trusts that proper actions shall be done on this matter.”

PSC initiated a meeting with UAAP, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) regarding the UST team’s alleged training held in Sorsogon City.

The commission said UST “respectfully declined the invitation” to join the meeting.

“We were informed that the university concerned is now conducting their own investigation and that UAAP shall share information in the following days,” said PSC.

It also reiterated that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines on physical activities and sports, as well as the Joint Administrative Order issued by the PSC, GAB, and DOH on the resumption of sports must always be observed.

“Above all considerations at this time, the safety of the athletes must always be paramount,” it added.

UAAP, Cansino

In a separate statement, the UAAP said they will listen first to UST's side regarding the alleged training 'bubble.' 

"Part and parcel of elementary due process is the right to be heard. All agencies agreed to wait for the report of UST," the UAAP said.

CJ Cansino, who announced last Thursday that he was parting ways with UST, did not confirm nor deny whether his former team had a training bubble in Sorsogon, home town of head coach Aldin Ayo.

"Humihingi ako ng sorry sa mga tao na humihingi ng sagot na 'yun, lalo na sa UST fans, dahil ayoko na magsalita," Cansino said in an interview with volleyball star Mela Tunay in her online show "Anong Tunay?"

"Respeto na lang sa UST and sa mga teammate ko. Ayoko na lang din sakin manggaling 'yun kasi kung sakin manggaling 'yun, alam kong masisira 'yung team, alam ko ang mangyayari sa UST. Sila na lang ang bahala na mag-confirm noon dahil out na ako diyan," said the former King Tiger.

Attendees

The PSC statement said the meeting attendees were PSC national training director Marc Edward Velasco, GAB chair Abraham Mitra, UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag, UAAP Season 83 president and DLSU athletic director Nonong Calanog, and DOH representative Rodley Carza.

On Thursday, UST student publication The Varsitarian reported that “UST Growling Tigers and Season 82 team captain CJ Cansino have agreed to part ways” but did not cite the reason.

READ: CJ Cansino thanks UP for bringing back his confidence after UST lets him go

Cansino revealed on Friday that he was taken off the team. “Bigyan lang ako ng isang rason para hindi lumipat, maglalaro pa rin ako sa UST. Kaya lang, tinanggal ako eh,” he said in a statement.

The same day,  Cansino and UP confirmed his transfer to the Fighting Maroons. –with a report from Justin Kenneth Carandang/RC/KG, GMA News