The UAAP Basketball Commissioner’s Office has suspended National University assistant coach Paul Du from all basketball-related activities for the remainder of Season 89 following an incident involving University of Santo Tomas assistant coach Arsenio Dysangco.
The suspension stems from an incident during the post-game handshake line after UST defeated NU, 90-66, on Saturday, October 10, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Du delivered a forceful elbow to Dysangco during the handshake line, causing the UST assistant coach to fall to the floor and require medical attention.
Du and Dysangco were former teammates in Uno High School.
The sanction, which takes effect immediately, bars Du from all basketball-related activities in both 5-on-5 and 3×3 competitions across all divisions until the official end of the season.
The Commissioner’s Office also acknowledged the possibility of additional sanctions from the UAAP Board of Managing Directors, which may impose further penalties in connection with the incident.
NU, meanwhile, retains the right to appeal the decision, giving the school an avenue to challenge the suspension.
Since publishing, Dysangco has spoken to the media and confirmed that he will not pursue legal action against Du.
Speaking after UST’s next game against FEU, he said, “I’m sure the UAAP has reviewed all the videos and all the circumstances doon sa case kaya I trust na, lalo na ‘yung mga precedents, and I’m sure they’re gonna make a good decision regarding this. I trust them.”
