After recently suspending five players and warned a few others including coaches, the NCAA cracked the whip on three referees that
officiated Season Emilio Aguinaldo-St. Benilde duel Friday in Season 82 at The Arena in San Juan City. San Sebastian’s Frank Gusi, the acting Management Committee chair, and league commissioner Aric del Rosario yesterday confirmed sacking John Estrada, Zaldy Sagum and Ric Santos, who officiated the game pitting the Generals against the Blazers that was marred by a bench clearing incident.
Of the three, Santos will be barred from officiating the rest of the season while Lozada and Sagum were suspended indefinitely, which means
they could be reinstated in future matches, according to Mancom. “We would like to send a message that no one will be spared,” said Gusi, speaking in behalf of Mancom chair Jose Mari Lacson of San Beda who is currently on temporary leave. The decision came a day after the league suspended St. Benilde’s Chuck Dalanon and Jan Tan, Angeles U Foundation’s Chuck Gomez and Letran’s Kris Alas and Jaypee Belencion and sternly warned Letran coach Louie Alas, assists Mel Alas and rookie Kevin Alas and San Beda’s American Sudan Daniel for ifferent offenses.
“We’ve said before the season that we wouldn’t tolerate this kind of behavior,” said del Rosario, who is using referees from NABRO. “Com Aric is serious with his job, doing what it takes to make the league within international standards and taking appropriate measures to maintain that level,” said NCAA president and San Beda rector Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, in a press statement. “The NCAA fully supports his moves  and decisions. He is competent, experienced and has earned the respect of colleagues and sports fans alike,” he added.

In juniors’ action, Louise Vigil exploded with 44 points while Joshua Saret managed only 20 points to power Jose Rizal to a 114-63
demolition of Mapua. Saret’s effort came less than a week after he torched AUF with a record 89 points to become the league’s as well as the country’s owner of the highest score in a game. Letran, meanwhile, smashed AUF, 121-47, in the only other high school duel to remain on top with a pristine 7-0 record.

The scores:
First Game (Jrs.)
Jose Rizal 114- Vigil 44, Saret 20, dela Paz 20, dela Paz 17, Garcia
14, Oliveria 8, Yasa 6, Fegidero 2, Ocampo 2, Vasquez 1, Rosales 0,
Rodriguez 0, Damian 0, Tanquintic 0, Barranco 0, Ludovice 0
Mapua 63- Basas 14, Sevilla 9, Aviso 8, de Castro 6, Alejandro 6, Mena
6, Valdez 6, Reyes 2, dela Cruz 2, Castillo 2, Abad 2, Targa 0
QS: 36-6; 61-28; 91-46; 114-63

Second Game (Jrs.)
Letran 121- Inigo 21, Tampus 21, Khobuntin 16, Ongteco 14, Cabahug 10,
Reyes 10, Maravilla 7, So 6, Crisologo 4, Cabigas 4, Cudal 3,
Villanueva 3, Cruz 2, Medina 0
AUF 47- Gando 18, Lakandula 9, Olalia 8, Bondoc 5, Castillejos 4,
Tuazon 2, Maniti 1, Tamayo 0, Dizon 0, Cayanan 0
QS: 31-9; 54-20; 95-32; 121-47