THE NCAA Policy Board has upheld the decision of the league's Management Committee to suspend Lyceum star CJ Perez for Game One of its best-of-three championship rematch against San Beda on Tuesday.
Perez was suspended by the Mancom for applying for the PBA rookie draft without informing the league in writing.
The reigning NCAA MVP applied for the draft last October 29, earlier than usual as he was classified as a ‘Fil-Foreigner’ by the PBA for being born in Hong Kong. Fellow hopefuls who are born in the Philippines have until the third of December to apply for the draft.
Lyceum appealed to the board but the league affirmed the decision of the committee, citing a rule that states "an athlete may avail/apply for the draft in the professional league, provided that he informs the Mancomm in writing and duly endorsed by their school representative to the Mancomm."
The Policy Board, which has the sole power to overturn a decision of the Mancomm, turned down the Lyceum appeal.
“It is hereby resolved that the appeal filed by the Lyceum of the Philippines University in relation to Mr. Perez’ violation of the NCAA rules is denied,” said the statement.
“The policy board further resolves that Mr. Perez is hereby suspended for one game on the scheduled basketball game on 06 November 2018.”
According to a source, Lyceum wasn’t informed by Perez or his manager, Marvin Espiritu, about the plans to enter the draft. Pirates officials, according to this source, would have taken the initiative to inform the NCAA themselves.
“LPU was not informed. LPU would have taken the initiative to make a letter to be signed by CJ and endorsed by the Mancomm rep to inform the NCAA,” said the source.
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