UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario finally addressed widespread rumors that his prized rookie Juneric Baloria is overaged and therefore ineligible for the ongoing NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Rumors have long circulated that the Altas freshman is over the league's age limit of 24 and the talk became more intense on Thursday on social networking sites, especially on Twitter.
However, the veteran del Rosario was quick to defend Baloria, saying there is no truth to the rumors which he said were likely meant to distract Baloria as the Altas march into the Final Four.
“Hindi totoo yun, baka tinatanggalan lang si Baloria sa focus,” said del Rosario, who was at The Arena in San Juan on Thursday for scouting duties.
Baloria, whose listed birthdate is June 3, 1990 that makes him 23 and therefore eligible to play in the league until next year, happens to be the league’s top Rookie of the Year candidate.
He leads the NCAA in scoring with 21.8 points per game for a Perpetual Help side that is running third in the 10-team standings.
“Two years ko nang kasama yan. Walang problema sa kanya,” del Rosario said, adding he has yet to receive a complaint from anyone.
Management committee chairman Dax Castellano has also confirmed del Rosario's statement that no formal complaint has been filed over Baloria's eligibility.
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