UAAP Commissioner to meet with Van Opstal tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines – UAAP Commissioner Andy Jao is set to meet with De La Salle Green Archers big man Arnold Van Opstal tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23, to discuss the incident involving the DLSU athlete and Ateneo Blue Eagles center Alfonso Gotladera during their teams’ matchup on Sunday, July 20.

According to Commissioner Jao, a review of the play will take place when both sides meet prior to La Salle’s game against the National University Bulldogs at 4PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“We will review this thing within tomorrow (July 23). I think that’s the best thing,” Jao mentioned in an exclusive conversation with Rappler. “We have to look at it with him, talk to him, and then make decisions from there, rather than making a quick decision now.”

“I think that’s the proper procedure,” the commissioner added.

The incident took place in the first quarter of Ateneo and La Salle’s game, which the former won, 97-86.

Van Opstal took to Twitter on Tuesday, July 22, morning, claiming he had no intentions of hurting Gotladera and that both guys, who were teammates a few years ago in La Salle, are good friends.

After the game, greeted Fonzo on how how happy I am for him.I would never hit him intentionally. Just playing basketball

— Arnold van Opstal (@Arnoldvanopstal) July 22, 2014

Commissioner Jao says that regardless what comes out of the meeting, Van Opstal will learn of it right away.

“If he should be given a stern warning or a suspension, he should be told there,” noted the commissioner, who also mentioned that “I can’t make decisions without hearing both sides. We should be fair.”

La Salle’s championship defense if off to a 0-2 start following the team’s losses to Ateneo on Sunday and to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws more than a week ago on Saturday, July 12. 

DLSU also lost starting point guard Thomas Torres to a fractured foot in the game against ADMU, and he is expected to miss the rest of the season. – Rappler.com