UAAP commissioner thumbs down DLSU protest vs Ateneo

The protest of the De La Salle University Green Archers against the Ateneo Blue Eagles may be junked by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) — that is if its board affirms the decision of commissioner Ed Cordero and technical committee chief Kiko Diaz. Cordero and Diaz agreed not to uphold the protest, which the Archers filed after losing to the Eagles on July 26. The Archers complained that in that games, which the Eagles won, 80-77, coach Norman Black field two foreign players at the same time, a breach in the UAAP rules. Noth UAAP officers also recommended that the UAAP board review their decision and make their own final judgement. But Cordero said on Thursday: "They cited rule number nine in the new rules which is actually regarding the schedules of the games. In spite of this, we accepted their protest." He pointed out that the revised UAAP rules regarding the use of foreigners does not provide for clear sanctions. Thus, the the basis of La Salle protest is questionable. "General rule ang ginagamit dito pero, dahil walang mga implementing guidelines, hindi tuloy madesisyunan," Cordero said. "May pagkakataon ang La Salle na manalo sa game kaya hindi naman dapat baligtarin ang resulta. Dahil din dito, nagrekomenda ako sa board ng ilang mungkahi para mapalakas ang rule ukol dito." Cordero also added that the Blue Eagles' Kirk Long and Zion Laterre were fielded at the same time, but this did not affect the result of the game. Cordero's position, to which Diaz agreed, would have to be reviewed because the technical committee, which has four members, was not unanimous in its decision. The UAAP board, which is composed of representatives from the eight school comprising the league, would thus have to make its final decision. The board is expected to meet on Sunday before the games start at the Araneta Coliseum. - GMANews.TV