UAAP won't tolerate game fixing

By Ma. Rosanna Mina, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/06/2009 5:17 PM

MANILA - The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Monday said it will not tolerate game fixing in the collegiate men’s basketball league.

“The UAAP has consistently been against game fixing or any other form of cheating in holding basketball competitions and all the other sporting events,” said UAAP vice president Bro. Bernard S. Oca of De La Salle University.

Oca read the UAAP statement during a press conference Monday at the ELJ Communications Tower in Quezon City.

The UAAP statement continued that it “remains vigilant against any form of cheating in the conduct of the League, as it will not tolerate nor condone game fixing.”

“We police our ranks and we shall deal with any such incident with a firm hand.”

A Philippine Daily Inquirer article on Monday reported that stakes in game-fixing have reached as much as P300 million in each season of the UAAP and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in recent years. One sports official quoted in the report said at least P60,000 to P80,000 were reserved to bribe the players while bribes for referees were higher.

The UAAP leadership said all member universities have their respective sports programs based on the attainment of excellence in both the fields of academics and sports. "The UAAP Board of Trustees remains firm and steadfast in ensuring a level of playing field in all the sporting events aimed at fair play and excellence in amateur sports," it said.

UAAP President Anton Montinola said each school should do its part in educating players, coaches and fans about achieving excellence in sports.

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