Reyland Torres is eligible to play in the decisive Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, despite being assessed two unsportsmanlike fouls in Game 2 last Wednesday.
But how is this possible?
The 2024 Official Basketball Rules, established by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), outline specific provisions for unsportsmanlike fouls.
The UAAP strictly adheres to these FIBA guidelines.
Understanding Unsportsmanlike Fouls
According to the FIBA rulebook, unsportsmanlike fouls are categorized into five types:
- Category 1: Contact with an opponent without legitimately attempting to play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.
- Category 2: Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.
- Category 3: Unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player to stop the offensive team’s progress in transition (applicable until the offensive player begins their act of shooting).
- Category 4: Illegal contact from behind or laterally on an opponent progressing toward the basket, with no other opponents between the offensive player, the ball, and the basket (also applicable until the offensive player begins their act of shooting). This was formerly referred to as the “clear-path foul.”
- Category 5: Contact by a defensive player on an opponent when the game clock shows two minutes or less in the fourth quarter or overtime, during a throw-in when the ball is still in the referee’s hands or at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in.
Any combination of these categories can lead to ejection but does not necessarily result in a suspension.
Torres’ Case
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Torres’ first unsportsmanlike foul occurred with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter when he committed a Category 2 foul (excessive, hard contact) against EJ Gollena.
His second foul was assessed at the 2:58 mark of the fourth quarter, classified as a Category 4 foul (illegal contact to stop a fast break).
Categories 3, 4, and 5 fouls do not warrant suspensions, which explains why Torres remains eligible for Game 3.
A Different Scenario
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Precious Momowei, however, faced a different outcome after committing two Category 2 fouls in a game against the University of Santo Tomas on November 9.
The first occurred at the 5:18 mark of the second quarter, and the second came at the 5:07 mark of the fourth quarter. Two Category 2 fouls result in ejection and automatic suspension, unlike Torres’ case.
Technical Fouls
Technical fouls, distinct from unsportsmanlike fouls, are behavioral infractions. These include:
- Disregarding referee warnings.
- Disrespectful communication with referees, officials, or opponents.
- Offensive language or gestures.
- Taunting or baiting opponents.
- Obstructing an opponent’s vision by waving hands near their eyes.
- Excessive elbow swinging.
- Game delays (e.g., touching the ball after a basket, preventing a throw-in, or arriving late to the court).
- Faking being fouled.
- Hanging on the ring, except briefly after a dunk or to avoid injury.
- Goaltending during the last free throw by a defensive player (awarding one point to the offensive team).
Two technical fouls result in ejection but not an automatic suspension unless the infractions involve taunting or other severe behavioral violations.
Notable Incidents
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- Mo Tounkara was suspended on October 19 during UST’s game against Ateneo after receiving two technical fouls for taunting La Salle players on October 16.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
- Jhon Calisay was ejected for delay of game during Adamson’s match against Ateneo on November 23, but this did not result in suspension.
For further details, the 2024 FIBA Official Basketball Rules can be accessed here.
