In the wake of Jerry Yee’s temporary suspension for the remainder of the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the University of the East Lady Warriors showed support for their head coach in their own ways.
The Lady Warriors are wearing black armbands for Yee while some players also wrote “Coach Jerry” in their Mueller tapes in their match against Adamson University on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
On Sunday morning, the UAAP announced that the first-year UE coach is suspended due to “acts inconsistent with the league’s objectives.”
With this, Yee cannot be at the venue of UAAP events during the period of his suspension.
The statement, however, also noted that Yee can still train the Lady Warriors and be active in non-UAAP events that the team joins in.
“The decision follows a complaint raised by a member school against Coach Yee on account of conduct violative of the purposes of the UAAP – a platform for Member Universities to foster camaraderie and fair play,” read the statement. “On February 29, 2024, the BOT concurred with the BMD findings that Coach Yee had engaged in acts inconsistent with the league’s objectives.”
The suspended tactician, who also handles the College of St. Benilde women’s volleyball team in the NCAA and Farm Fresh in the PVL, meanwhile was dismayed with the suspension during a press conference at Abe restaurant at the SM Mall of Asia Complex Sunday.
Yee, who was then the head coach of Adamson University, was released by the school shortly after Season 85. He was hired by UE two weeks later.
“I maintain that there was no ethical breach in my decision to accept UE’s head coaching job because it was a mutual parting of ways for both Adamson and me. Unfortunately, this career decision of mine has been met with vitriol at the late onset, born out of vindictiveness, ironically from an institution that prides itself on instilling Catholic virtues and teachings,” said Yee in a statement.
“My dismay with the UAAP board’s decision is merely secondary to the disappointment that I hold in not being able to fulfill my commitment to coaching and mentoring the UE Lady Warriors. Moreover, this decision also unduly deprives me of the right to obtain other sources of living and to provide for my family. The three-month suspension is handed down to punish my genuine intent to be of service to the UE community, and it is most unfortunate that the undue consequences of this have extended to my family,” he continued.
“My commitment to restoring a winning culture to the UE Lady Warriors remains steadfast despite the tremendous disadvantage we now face as a team without its leader. Nonetheless, I will continue to perform my duties as coach to the Lady Warriors despite this unmerited decision by the board,” he closed.
Obet Vital served as the team’s interim head coach for the time being while Yee and UE plan to appeal the suspension.
The Lady Warriors currently have a 1-2 record with sensational rookie Casiey Dongallo leading the charge.
