An unidentified referee was beaten up after the Mapua-College of St. Benilde game at the start of the Season 100 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday evening.
A probe was launched late Sunday afternoon, when the NCAA Management Committee, led by chairman Hercules Callanta of host school Lyceum of the Philippines University convened at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
According to reports, a referee, with assigned uniform No.7, was allegedly attacked and left bloodied at the hallway of the arena after the contest, attended to later by medical personnel.
The referees assigned to officiate in that game were Dominique Pomar, Emmanuel Paraon and Jerry Borja.
The league’s administrative body is now in the process of collecting all the facts, with one game official and several members of the audience, reportedly involved.
Callanta said identities have yet to be revealed by the league pending the result of the investigation.
“We are collating information, investigating, and we’ll eventually make a decision on what to do,” said Callanta.
Meanwhile, Rafael Are unloaded 10 of his 30 points in the last quarter, allowing the San Sebastian Stags to fight their way out of a 14-point deficit and into a 91-84 subduing of the Letran Knights on Sunday.
Are’s driving shot with 2:52 left finally handed the Stags a 10-point lead, helping send SSC to claim its first win of the season.
Are’s decisive shot came during a pivotal 13-2 run that pushed the Stags away from a 82-81 edge and into a 91-81 lead in the final minute of action.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, bubuntot lang kami sa kanila. Kapag may chance, magsisilat kami,” said new Stags’ coach Arvin Bonleon.
The Stags now share the lead with the defending champion San Beda Red Lions and the Benilde Blazers.
The Red Lions won over the Lyceum Pirates, 79-63, while the College of St. Benilde Blazers prevailed over the Mapua Cardinals, 78-65, in the opener on Saturday.
Kobe Monje drilled in 16 points for the Knights, who shaved their heads bald as a sign of unity in their Season 100 campaign.
