UAAP hands off on Tamaraws-Archers Davao fracas?

The UAAP refrained from at least commenting on the incident that saw members of the La Salle and Far Eastern University basketball teams figuring in a brawl at a recent invitational tournament in Davao City.

Newly-appointed executive director Rebo Saguisag, in yesterday’s media briefing at the FEU campus, declined from issuing any statements until next week’s press conference even as members or supporters of both teams continue to trade accusations as to which side is to blame.

The melee, happened Friday in the semifinals of the Kadayawan Basketball Invitational at the Almedras Gym, became viral on social media after videos showed the Green Archers and Tamaraws engage in a fist fight when their match became heated in the third quarter.

FEU has accused La Salle coach Aldin Ayo of choking Tamaraws forward Arvin Tolentino during the brawl while a Green Archers supporter pointed out that Ron Dennison triggered the incident with a series of roughhousing tactics before being ejected.

Dennison was later seen hitting La Salle’s Kib Montalbo from behind when the fight broke out.

Incidentally, La Salle and FEU will face off on Sept. 10 – a day after the league opener – at the Mall of Asia Arena, and the league could possibly take necessary action in order to avoid such repetition.

The likely possibility at this point is for the league to warn the two teams of serious repercussions should they decide to go at it once more with their fists.

FEU official Mark Molina, who was also at the media briefing as his school is serving as this season’s host, has already kept mum on the incident after a series of tweets that pointed La Salle as the culprit.

His La Salle counterparts have been silent since the incident happened.

— JONAS TERRADO