A top official of University of Santo Tomas’ Institute of Physical Education and Athletics resigned yesterday before a tripartite group composed of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Games and Amusements Board resumed its inquiry on the school’s men’s basketball team.
IPEA head Fr. Jannel Novino Abogado, O.P. has quit and was replaced a few hours before government met anew and questioned school officials on the Growling Tigers’ alleged practice sessions in a “training bubble” in Sorsogon recently.
Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., who headed the athletics’ program of UST for 16 years, is back to his old post, according to an official announcement.
UST officials informed University Athletic Association of the Philippines executive director Rebo Saguisag that they are now wrapping up their internal probe.
Saguisag met with national training director Marc Velasco of the PSC, along with Season 83 president Nonong Calanog of host De La Salle University and GAB chairman Abraham Mitra, and relayed to them the situation involving UST.
The joint body is seeking answers into reports that the Growling Tigers may have allegedly gone into team practices in the Bicol Region. The practice sessions reportedly started last June.
CHED chairman Prospero de Vera and executive director Cinderella Jaro also attended the online meeting in place of the Department of Health.
“Yes we finished meeting. CHED was present as well, Chair de Cera and executive director Jaro. UST is finalizing their investigation today. We will wait for the report of UAAP to the JAO and CheD,” said Velasco, who added they are also verifying reports that the National University women’s volleyball team also went into a training bubble in Calamba, Laguna recently.
The UAAP has been asked to shed light the NU Lady Bulldogs activities as well.
UST earlier vowed to take appropriate actions on the Growling Tigers’ workouts, which was done at a time when the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has not yet given its clearance.
The IATF still has to give its go-signal for collegiate basketball teams to return to practices.
Under a Joint Administrative Order, only professional leagues in basketball, football and boxing are allowed to resume training under a General Community Quarantine.