UAAP: Nico Salva's father appeals 'ban' by the league

Amando Salva, the father of graduating Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles forward, Nico, "strongly opposes" his ban from the patron section of UAAP game venues, a punishment supposedly meted out by the UAAP, following an altercation with FEU Tamaraws’ assistant Coach Ronald Magtulis when the teams played separate games on September 13 at the Philsports Arena. In a letter dated September 18, Salva claims he has been deprived of due process and had not received neither any summons to air his side, nor any formal notice of his penalty. Regardless, the sanctions were published informally in various media outlets. "You have maligned my character by portraying me as someone with no self-control, damaged my name and reputation in my field of work, with business associates, friends and relatives," wrote Salva in a letter addressed to Jose Nilo Ocampo, president of the UAAP Board of Trustees. According to a source close to the UAAP though, the league does in fact plan to sanction Salva with the aforementioned punishment, but has not yet released any official notice regarding the matter. When they do though, Salva will be informed through his son's school, Ateneo de Manila University. In his version of events, Salva claimed that Magtulis challenged his son to a fistfight while the latter was warming up before their game. When Salva later found out about the incident, he approached FEU head coach Bert Flores during halftime to inquire about the incident. Flores said he had no knowledge of Magtulis’ actions and promised to talk to his assistant. As Salva was returning to his seat, he saw Magtulis approaching him and asked him about what he had said to his son. Instead, the FEU assistant coach challenged him to a fight, and the incident escalated into a shouting match until the two had to be separated by venue security. While he admitted to exchanging insults with Magtulis, Salva said he did not physically harm him. "I was just being a father--my son was threatened and I wanted to protect him," Salva writes in the letter. "I trust that the UAAP Board rectifies its error in judgment in order to clear my name," said Salva in his closing statement, "and allow me to watch my son play his last few games in his final year from the patron section where I have watched and supported him all throughout his collegiate career." - AMD, GMA News Amando Salva Letter to UAAP