General granted TRO, inspires UPIS to victory in return

By Anton Roxas Posted Aug 17th 2013

Two weeks ago, embattled UPIS Junior Maroon Jozhua General stood by himself in the stands at the Arena in San Juan City as he helplessly watched his team struggle against the Ateneo Blue Eagles. General was previously declared ineligible to play this season by the UAAP Board last July 23, 2013 for the reason that he has exceeded the 5-year window for high school players which begins from the year of their graduation from grade school.

However, last night, August 16, 2013 at 8:00 P.M., the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a 20-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the UAAP ruling, thus allowing General to play once again.

The 6 foot tall General made his return today, August 17, 2013 by starting at center for UPIS and contributed 2 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists for the Junior Maroons who emerged victorious over UST, 73-71 at the Blue Eagle Gym at the Ateneo campus in Quezon City.

“More than the stats, it was Jozhua’s mere presence that gave us a huge emotional lift,” said UPIS head coach Allan Gregorio.

Gregorio spent the entire week talking to several members of the UAAP Board in the hope of finding the best possible solution the problem. UP Diliman chancellor Ceasar Saloma stated that they want “to solve this in a very diplomatic manner.”

However, the parents of General, Jojo and Christine, felt that immediate action had to be taken in order for their son to experience playing out his senior year in high school. The father, Jojo even flew in from his place of work in Indonesia to be in the presence of his son.

The General camp was represented by their Senior Counsel Atty. Rico Domingo and Atty. Stanley Zambarano, a former Fighting Maroon who played alongside Coach Ryan Gregorio for UP.

In response to the TRO, the UAAP Board issued a statement through its secretary treasurer Malou Isip following the UPIS game today:

“The UAAP Board will honor the TRO and will allow Jozhua General to play in UPIS’s games covered by the 20-day period.

The UAAP Board will have on its agenda the TRO issue for its regular board meeting on August 22. Thank you.”

Because of this development, UPIS will also get back its hard-earned 89-87 quadruple overtime win over Adamson University which happened on July 14, 2013.