The Mapua Cardinals forfeited the lone game that it had won so far in season 98 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
The management committee on Saturday ruled to nullify the result of the Cardinals’ opening-day win over the San Beda University Red Lions.
The forfeiture was handed down after the Cardinals were found to have fielded an ineligible player in Gab Gamboa.
A memorandum from the NCAA management committee informed league commissioner Tonichi Pujante of their decision not to recognize the Cardinals’ 66-55 victory over the Red Lions last September 10.
This means that Mapua’s record stood at 1-5, will now be 0-6 slate. This will allow San Beda to improved at 3-2, while the defending champion Letran Knights will now have a 4-1 slate.
“The ManCom, after investigation, found out that Mapua University (MU) player Mr. Gabriel Dan Gamboa, who played last 10 September against San Beda University (SBU) where MU won, was ineligible to play,” said the Mancom in a statement on their decision.
Pujante said that Gamboa will now be banned from playing in the NCAA for life.
According to findings, Gamboa was still enrolled in St. Clare College of Caloocan.
Gamboa still played for the school ruled the NAASCU tournament last June, when he suited up in the opening game for the Cards.