LETRAN will most likely be without one of its aces when it plays San Sebastian Monday in a winner-take-all match for the right to play San Beda in the NCAA men’s basketball Finals.
Big man Kristoffer "JunJun" Alas is expected to be meted a one-game suspension for committing a disqualifying foul against the Stags during their Final Four game Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum which the Knights won by a mile, 92-74.
The possible suspension could mean Alas missing the playoff game at The Arena in San Juan, and leave the Knights without one big man inside.
“De kahon na 'yun,” said NCAA commissioner Joe Lipa of the impending suspension.
Asked if he and his technical staff would still review the tape, Lipa said he doesn’t think there is any need to go over it since the disqualifying foul committed by Alas was obvious enough.
Letran coach Louie Alas was naturally furious at the incident, which occurred inside the final 76 seconds and the outcome of the match already settled in favor of the Knights.
“Pinagalitan ko siya. I don’t think there’s a need for him to do that,” Alas shared to Spin.ph when queried what he told his son shortly before he was ejected out of the floor.
“Sabi ko sa kanya kailangan namin ng wide body sa loob, pero hindi na kailangan pang gawin yun.”
Asked if he is expecting a possible suspension from the league, he quickly snapped back, “malamang.”
San Sebastian stalwart Ronald Pascual missed the Final Four game against the Knights to serve the one-game suspension meted on him following a similar disqualifying foul he committed in the team’s final game in the eliminations against San Beda.
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