TWO members of the University of Santo Tomas high school cage team were allegedly subjected to verbal and physical abuse under its former head coach Allan Ascue.
The incidents, which reportedly took place in the first round of the ongoing 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball Tournament, compelled concerned parents to file a complaint before the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In the ensuing investigation, Ascue was eventually replaced by former cager Richie Melencio, who handled the UST Tiger Cubs for the rest of the second round.
The names of the two young players are being withheld by The Standard upon request by sources because they are minors.
The firing of the UST junior coach came as school officials also included Growling Tigers’ coach Segundo “Bong” dela Cruz III in their probe last month. Dela Cruz was placed under investigation but not suspended.
He has since been asked to stay out of team practices and wait for the decision of the University administration.
School officials, led by Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., director of the Institute for Physical Education and Athletics, has been silent about the subject of their investigation.
The only thing that De Sagon said in his official statement to the official school paper, The Varsitarian, was that it was “about our basketball program in reference to the University’s policies.”
De la Cruz III has since denied allegations that he, or members of the team were involved in game fixing, and that he was physically and verbally abusive to his players.
“Alam ko sa aking sarili na malinis ang aking konsensya subalit mas pipiliin ko na kung kinakailangan ay sa tamang lugar o sa proper forum ako magsasalita upang maipahayag ko ang aking panig,” said Dela Cruz, who added that he decided to break his silence after his family got affected.