Ateneo de Manila University head coach Louie Alas has been handed a one-game suspension in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament following a disqualifying foul assessed after a review of his physical misconduct during Wednesday’s game against De La Salle University.
Alas will serve the suspension on Saturday, October 10, when the Blue Eagles take on league-leading Far Eastern University at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Ateneo has appealed the decision.
The Blue Eagles enter the matchup with a 3-2 record, while the Tamaraws sit atop the standings at 3-1.
At the 3:42 mark of the fourth quarter against La Salle, Alas was observed engaging in physical misconduct involving opposing players. He “forcefully attempted” to pull an opposing player to his feet before making further physical contact by nudging another player with his elbow.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Although the incident was not seen by the game officials on the floor, the Commissioner’s Office reviewed the sequence and assessed the physical misconduct as a disqualifying foul under the UAAP House Rules and applicable FIBA regulations, resulting in the one-game suspension.
Another infraction occurred at the same timestamp when Ateneo assistant coach Kerby Raymundo was observed verbally taunting La Salle’s Vhoris Marasigan from the bench following a foul call. Alas was subsequently assessed a direct technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior, which was later changed to a bench technical foul.
Alas’ first infraction came on September 19, during Ateneo’s game against the UP Fighting Maroons. Raymundo was assessed a technical foul for improper bench decorum, an infraction charged to the Blue Eagles’ head coach.
