Brawl instigators Joko Tayongtong of Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) and Leo Gabo of Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) received harsh penalties from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for their role in the bench-clearing incident that marred their game on Monday night.

According to the league’s official release — where they condemned the incident “to the highest level” — EAC’s leading scorer Tayongtong merited a five-game ban, while MIT’s Gabo earned a four-game suspension.

Aside from Tayongtong and Gabo, a total of 15 players from both sides who were involved in the incident have also been handed down stiff sanctions.

Serving hefty three-game bans each were EAC’s Jan Jamon, Ariel Aguilar, and Jack Lord Arquero, and Mapua’s Jomari Tubiano – essentially barring them for the rest of the season.

Those who received two-game suspensions each were EAC’s John Santos, Manelle Quilanita, and Edsel Saludo and Mapua’s Justin Serrano, James Galoso, Exeqiel Biteng, and Andoy Estrella.

EAC’s Faustine Pascual, and Mapua’s Jerome Canaynay, Ronnel Villasenor, and Darrel Magsigay were given one-game bans for leaving the bench at the height of the incident.

Those escaping penalties include Jerald Serrano, Christ Mejos, Ai Indin, and Jozhua General from EAC, Jessie Saitanan, CJ Isit, Joseph Eriobu, and Jeson Cantos from MIT.

With both Tayongtong and Arquero serving their final year with EAC, both players will be fined an undisclosed amount in lieu of serving suspensions.

Meanwhile, veteran whistleblowers Molly de Luna, Cholo Caoile, and Maynard Ballecer were fined undisclosed amounts each and given an indefinite suspension.

The statement also read that all suspensions will take effect immediately.

The brawl, which originated with Tayongtong shoving CJ Isit to the floor while crossing the halfcourt line, eventually escalated when Gabo pushed Tayongtong towards Isit, who was left defenseless when the EAC guard threw a solid right hook to Isit’s temple.

After nearly a minute of bedlam, officials decided to throw out all but two players – Jozhua General of EAC and Jessie Saitanan of MIT – and abandoned the match with 28.5 left in the contest and EAC up by nine, 86-77.

Brawl avoidable says bench tacticians Esplana, Co.

EAC Head Coach Gerry Esplana and Mapua Head Coach Atoy Co – both longtime friends since their days in the PBA – lamented the situation, saying that the officials should have exercised due dilligence by being on top of the situation before the entire match got out of hand.

“Actually, we don’t preach na manakit, e. Kung makita mo sa career ko sa basketball, hindi ako involved sa mga away. Nakakalungkot sa nangyari kung patapos na ang laro. We were just melting the clock and hinihintay para matapos,” said Esplana.

“Ayaw kong manisi, pero had the referee blown his whistle right away, baka naagapan na. Nung nagretaliate [si Joko Tayongtong], doon pa lang sila pumasok.”

“Kaya umabot sa rambol ang laro dahil sa kalagitnaan pa lang ng game, sinasabi ko na sa referee na tingnan na ang mga second motion ng mga player,” Co said.

“Every time na nagsasabi ako ng reklamo ko, parang ang feeling ko na nagrereklamo ako sa kanila na walang pruweba o wala akong nakikitang tawag na tinatawag.”

San Beda upholds decision to protest loss against Perpetual Help

Meanwhile, San Beda College upheld their decision to protest their loss against University of Perpetual Help, citing the non-call on Kevin Oliveria’s missed shot after the 24-second clock expired late in the third quarter during their 76-75 loss, also on Monday.

The Red Lions, however, will not contest the foul on Arthur de la Cruz that sent Harold Arboleda to the foul line with 0.2 seconds left as it was the official’s judgment call to whistle de la Cruz’s fifth foul of the match.