Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Behind the Decision: UAAP commissioner Lopa clarifies Momowei’s suspension


One of the most prominent issues that plagued the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament was the suspension of University of the East center Precious Momowei against Ateneo de Manila University after he incurred an unsportsmanlike foul against De La Salle University in the previous game.

Momowei received an unsportsmanlike foul at the 6:43 mark of the second quarter during the Red Warriors’ game against the Green Archers last Sunday.

This was the second time he received such a sanction. His first unsportsmanlike foul occurred on October 15, 2023, during the Red Warriors’ first-round game against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

The incident took place with 7:38 left in the game.

His actions and the judgment that was afforded to him exempted him from being considered for any individual awards this season, which stung the UE community because he was the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.

Amidst the social media vitriol that came with the decision, Assistant Commissioner Atty. Mariana Lopa clarified in a press conference today how the decision was made.

“First of all, something that has been asked of us is whether he was going for the ball. That is something that we hear a lot. I think I’d like to clarify that with you guys too,” said Lopa.

“Under the FIBA rules, there are four categories of unsportsmanlike fouls: three and four are clear path and stopping a fast break; number one is not a legitimate attempt to go for the ball; and number two is a legitimate attempt to go for the ball but with excessive hard contact — that’s where Momowei’s unsportsmanlike foul was categorized.”

UAAP86-Presscon-Mariana-Lopa-3422 Behind the Decision: UAAP commissioner Lopa clarifies Momowei's suspension Basketball News UAAP UE  - philippine sports news

The UAAP as a league has a procedure to deal with such situations. It is one that all of the league’s member schools know and are a part of.

#ReadMore  Goldwin Monteverde on son Carl Tamayo: 'I will miss him because he is family'

Both sides are in constant communication, and the Commissioner’s Office, in particular, takes great care in handling these things.

“The process is that within 48 hours, we’re going to send a notice of the sanction. They can appeal, and we respond to the appeal. In this case, the game was on Sunday. We sent the notice on Monday, the following day. UE appealed. We received the appeal late Tuesday morning. That was what they were asking — if the unsportsmanlike foul can be downgraded,” said Lopa.

“What’s the process when we receive an appeal like that? We take a look at the play multiple times. We consult with our technical heads. We consult with our referees — not just the calling referees — but our team of referees. We arrive at a consensus on whether or not it can be downgraded or excluded from accumulation.

Ultimately, the members of the officiating team try to be as objective and thorough as they can be. So many things are on the line, and they strive to make the correct decisions.

In this case, they are adamant that they made the right call.

“Unfortunately, in this case when we reviewed the specific play, our minds didn’t change essentially. It was an unsportsmanlike foul with excessive hard contact that resulted in a blow to the face of Kevin Quiambao,” said Lopa.

Written By

Lorenzo's a frustrated author who knows a thing or two about Football and Basketball. Went all green from Ortigas to Taft. Supports Liverpool FC, FC Bayern Munich and the Alaska Aces


You May Also Like

AU

Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas kicked off their campaigns in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC...

AU

By: Jerod Orcullo The bloodline of former PBA enforcer Rudy Distrito lives on at University of the East. Jax Distrito, a 6-foot-2 guard from...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University will not be participating in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, which tips off on May 18 at the Filoil...

3x3 Basketball

Two-time defending UAAP Men’s 3×3 Basketball champion De La Salle University kept its title-retention hopes alive after dispatching last season’s final opponent University of...

3x3 Basketball

National University leaned on the brilliance of Jake Figueroa to outlast Far Eastern University, 21-17, and clinch the top seed in the UAAP Season...

Basketball

After just two seasons at University of the East, Devin Fikes has decided to part ways with the Red Warriors, opting to return home...

3x3 Basketball

Another year, another Warrior walking away. This time, it’s Rainer Maga who has parted ways with University of the East, transferring to University of...

3x3 Basketball

NATIONAL University’s men’s basketball team and the women’s squads of University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines punched their tickets to the...

Advertisement