2 birth certificates cost MVP Duncil his UST post

The truth about the untimely exit of last year's basketball finals Most Valuable Player Jojo Duncil from the University of Santo Tomas roster came out in Monday's launch of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Fr. Emrito Sagun explained that UST had to let go of Duncil because the player has two National Statistics Office certificates stating two different birth dates. These, he said, could be used by other teams as a basis in protesting the eligibility of the player. "We have nothing against Duncil. but he has two NSO certificates with two different dates of his birth," Sagun explained in the launching held at the 13th floor of the ELJ Bldg inside the ABS-CBN compound at the Mo. Ignacia road in Quezon City. One of Duncil's certificates showed that he was born on Jan. 13, 1983, while the other states that his birth date was Jan. 13, 1982. UAAP rules state that no player should play if he is over 24 years old and if Duncil's NSO certificate showing that he was born in 1982 will be used as his official date of birth, then he is ineligible to play. "We don't want to have players or officials as excess baggage. Ayaw namin na ang mga laro na namin ay nakukuwestiyon kaya tinanggap na namin ang desisyon ni Jojo at ng kanyang pamilya na mag-pro na lamang," paliwanag pa ni Fr. Sagun. Because of this development, UST mentor Alfredo Jarencio, who was likewise in the launching, said that his team has lost one of its weapons. "We will be lucky if we reach the final four," said Jarencio, when asked his comment regarding Duncil's exit from the team which he led to an improbable title finish last year. With a theme "Winner's All", the 70th edition of the league will officially commence on July 7 at the Araneta Coliseum. Sagun explained that they have chosen July 7 to officially start the season because it signifies the 70th season. "Lalabas kasi na 7-7-7 ang date na ito," he explained. Other teams competing this year are De La Salle University who is back after a year of suspension, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, University of the East, Adamson University, National University and Far Eastern University The La Salle Green Archers will face University of the Philippines in the opening game on Saturday at 2 pm while National U Bulldogs will open its campaign against FEU Tamaraws in the second match scheduled at 4 pm. - GMANews.TV