By: Jonash Dannug
File Photo from Gelay Davocol
Letran head coach Jeff Napa expressed his disbelief on San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya’s comments regarding the on-going investigation of Koy Galvelo and RK Ilagan’s ‘ligang labas’ allegations.
Last August 3, there are reports that both Ilagan and Galvelo participated in a bush league in Quezon City while the National Collegiate Athletics Association men’s basketball tournament is ongoing – a violation of league rules.
“Based dun sa rules, there will be a suspension and forfeiture. Kaya lang hindi pa namin napagdedesisyunan dahil nag-didiscuss pa kami tungkol dun sa issue. I-dadaan namin sa due process,” NCAA basketball chairman Frank Gusi of Perpetual Help said in a report published on Spin.PH.
“Meron kaming rules na once we discover the players; mayroong number of games na ma-suspend siya, three games suspension, kung talagang napatunayan na naglaro may rules na forfeiture sa larong ginawa niya,” expounded Gusi.
If proven, San Sebastian could face automatic forfeitures of their victories over the College of St. Benilde and Jose Rizal University.
“Nalaman ko lang naman yun [RK Ilagan] nung tinanong ni Fr. Vic [Calvo] e. Ba’t nila ako tuturo? Kasalanan nila yun. Ako responsibilidad ko ‘yung kinseng players ko, may Team B pa ako. Alangan namang intindihin ko pa yan. Sinasabi ko lang ang katotohanan,” Napa said in disbelief.
A suspension however, will not affect the Letran Knights’ record as Galvelo has yet to play a game in the NCAA; meaning the Knights would not have to forfeit their games.
According to Macaraya, Napa already knew the situation between the two players; saying: “Nalaman namin after that fifth game nung nagsalita na ‘yung Letran. What I was very frustrated is alam na ni Jeff Napa,” he said.
“Alam na ni coach Jeff na meron palang ganung nangyari, ‘di manlang niya nasabi sa amin or ano kasi ‘di naman nila ginagamit si Galvelo and that’s what hurt us,” Macaraya added.
Napa, on the other hand, fires back at Macaraya; saying that his only responsibility is his players and Letran.
“Ang responsibility ko ‘yung 15 players na susunod at susunod sa patakaran namin. Kung meron mang lumabag kung sino ‘man ‘yun, wala akong pakialam ‘dun,” Napa expressed.
“I think it’s not my responsibility to answer that kung ano ‘man ‘yung sinabi ng kabila kasi ang responsibilidad ko ay Letran. Wala akong pakialam sa kung sino ‘mang school ‘yan,” he added.
Despite the issues, Galvelo is still with Letran, and plays a valuable role for the Knights’ Season 94 championship quest.
“Koy Galvelo is a big factor to our team. Hindi siya bangko. Very important person si Koy. Pero I have to sacrifice dahil sa rule na nilabag niya,” said Napa.