PAO Javillonar is pleading his case to the NCAA Management Committee, hoping his suspension will be reduced to just a single game especially since Season 100 will be his final year playing for Letran.
The veteran big man said he’s keeping his fingers crossed that the appeal letter sent by the school will be heard by league officials and lessen the initial three-game ban meted on him for playing in an invitational tournament in Davao City recently.
The 6-foot-5 Javillonar decided to play out his final year with the Knights in what serves as the team’s redemption season after a dismal showing in Season 99 where it only won two out of 18 games.
His decision came even after he decided to apply for the PBA draft and was taken in during the second round by Converge.
It was during the FiberXers’ campaign in the 39th Kadayawan Festival that Javillonar found himself in hot water after he briefly played during their game against Phoenix.
“It is what it is. Pero sana baka puwedeng pag-usapan or baka puwedeng babaan lang kasi sobrang sakit din sa part ko yung three games suspension,” he said during the formal presser for the NCAA Season 100 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Last year ko na ito. 18 games na lang tapos tatanggalin pa sa akin yung tatlong laro. So sana ma-approve or kahit ibaba lang. Yun ang pinapag-pray ko ngayon.”
Letran already sent a letter of appeal to the NCAA Management Committee on the issue just days before Season 100 kicks off on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Knights won’t play their first game until Sunday opposite the San Sebastian Stags.
Should the ManCom denies the appeal, Javillonar will also miss out on Letran’s next two games against Jose Rizal University on Sept. 13 and Arellano University on Sept. 17.
More so, he’ll no longer be eligible for the season MVP award.
As things stand now, Javillonar is taking a positive approach on the matter.
“Andun na yun. Kailangan kong maging positive pa rin kasi ako yung captain ball. Ang pangit naman kung a-aura ako di ba? Kailangan heads up ko pa rin yung sarili ko para maipakita ko sa mga teammates ko na mas importante sila, yung team. Hindi lang isa, kumbaga isipin mo yung nakakarami,” he said.
“Kailangan nating i-embrace kung ano yung maitutulong ko sa kanila. Yun na lang muna, Suportahan lang kami, we got each other’s back.”
The ManCom is expected to come out with the decision over the weekend.
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