Four days after the altercation, two of the injured Benilde Blazers, Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis, filed physical injury complaints against Jose Rizal University Heavy Bomber (JRU) John Amores earlier today, Nov. 11, at the San Juan City Prosecutor’s Office.
Before heading into their game against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Altas, Pasturan and Davis, who received punches from the commotion during their game against JRU, went to the San Juan Hall of Justice to press charges against Amores. They were accompanied by Benilde Blazers head coach Charles Tiu to serve as a witness to the on-court assault on Nov. 8.
In an interview with The Benildean, NCAA Management Committee (ManCom) member and Benilde representative Dax Castellano shared that it was the decision of the harmed players’ families to take legal action.
“‘Yung family ‘yung nag-file ng [case]... so it’s their right to file the case [as family],” he said, and mentioned this was also the reason why the decision was made without the knowledge of the NCAA ManCom.
Meanwhile, according to ABS-CBN News, Benilde Blazers’ legal counsel Aldwin Salumbides claimed that the assault and physical injuries done to the two players is a criminal case that should not be taken lightly.
“Physical injuries ito dahil kitang kita nga natin kung paano ‘yung assault at ‘yung ginawang pagsugod,” he said.
Salumbides also added that Amores seems remorseless with his actions as he did not reach out to the Blazers for an apology at the very least. “We were hoping that he would reach out pero if he’s not doing that, we’re the ones reaching out with the long arm of the law,” he stressed.
This was also the same sentiment shared by coach Tiu on his Twitter account, saying, “An apology of any form would have been nice. It probably is the right thing to do.”
Coach Tiu also mentioned with GMA Integrated News earlier, after joining his boys in filing charges, that the incident could have been avoided, and although the team would be forgiving, he also insists that they “will still take the right actions that need to be done.”
In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Atty. Jackie Gan stressed that filing the case should also serve as a reminder to NCAA student-athletes of their responsibility as athletes.
“It is a reminder for the future generation who desires to become athletes that they should be accountable for their actions. And it is never good to actually try to win, in contrast [to] losing themselves,” she added.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have now taken action on this case by forming a fact-finding commission to investigate the unpleasant incident.
The Blazers faced the UPHSD Altas earlier today, and lost with a score of 83-89, with three players, Ladis Lepalam, Mark Sangco, and Chris Flores, missing in action due to the suspension penalties.
