University Athletic Association of the Philippines Basketball Commissioner Jensen Ilagan today denied the motion for reconsideration submitted by the University of the Philippines (UP). This was an appeal to shorten the suspension of Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol.
Ilagan meted Perasol a three-game suspension last Tuesday, October 1.
Perasol incurred an automatic one-game suspension for his two technical fouls with 6:23 left in the third quarter of UP’s game against Ateneo last Sunday, Sept. 29. An additional two-game suspension was imposed for his “continued flagrant acts of aggression.”
Through Board of Managing Director member Prof. Kiko Diaz, UP made an appeal last Wednesday, October 2, citing that the punishment by Ilagan was “excessive, unwarranted, and unprecedented.”
Article 9.2.3 of the UAAP General Tournament Guidelines of 2019, though, states that “it is the responsibility of the Tournament Commissioner or its equivalent to imposing disciplinary measures on any student-athlete, team official, and/or any accompanying delegation member who violates the fundamental values of respect, fairness, civility, honesty, and responsibility; demonstrates highly unsportsmanlike conduct; and/or deliberately employs dangerous or dirty tactics or fouls in the course of any game or sporting events.”
In this case, replay reviews showed Perasol uttering harsh words towards official Jaime Rivano even after his ejection.
Ilagan cited Perasol’s refusal to leave the court despite knowing full well that he had been ejected. Meanwhile, several members of the UP team had to restrain Perasol as he verbally attacked the game official using obscene and disrespectful language.
Then when he was on his way to the locker room, Perasol pointed an accusing and threatening finger at the referee.
These further actions, in addition the two technical fouls he incurred, merited the three-game suspension. As such, Ilagan has denied UP’s motion for reconsideration.
Regarding UP’s inquiry regarding the technical foul on Bright Akhuetie with 8:09 mark of the third quarter — which resulted in his fourth personal foul — Ilagan clarified that the game officials had already warned Akhuetie earlier for continuous complaining.
Screenshots c/o ABS-CBN S+A/UAAP
Screenshots c/o ABS-CBN S+A/UAAP
Screenshots c/o ABS-CBN S+A/UAAP
With 2:38 left in the opening frame, Rivano had already given Akhuetie a warning. Akhuetie even gestured at Rivano after their discussion.
Ilagan is calling on all of the member-schools of the league to exemplify the UAAP’s core values of respect, fairness, civility, honesty, and responsibility. After all, these play an important role in the total development of the student-athlete.
“Officiating may not be perfect, but it cannot justify outbursts like what he did. As head coach, he should know that he is a role model, and in the UAAP where character building is of paramount importance, Mr. Perasol should have been aware of that,” he said.
“Respect should be observed at all times. Mr. Perasol did not only disrespect the officials that time but the UAAP as well,” he continued.
“The sad part here is that Mr. Perasol never apologized to the UAAP for what he did.”
