University of Santo Tomas is preparing to appeal the potential suspension of Malian center Mo Tounkara, who was ejected during the fourth period of their 94-87 overtime loss to defending champion De La Salle University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Tounkara received his first technical foul at the 5:42 mark of the opening period after he flexed over Nigerian center Henry Agunanne following a contested layup.
He was subsequently ejected for the remainder of the contest after receiving a second technical foul at the 3:38 mark of the fourth quarter for taunting Mike Phillips.
If the Growling Tigers’ appeal is denied, Tounkara will not only sit out against the Ateneo Blue Eagles due to a one-game suspension, but he will also become ineligible for any season awards.
“I think we’re gonna submit an appeal later for the organization, like if they can allow me to play the next game,” said Tounkara, who was seventh in the statistical points race after the first round with 60.0.
The 21-year-old center acknowledged that his emotions got the best of him at a critical moment as UST mounted a comeback, turning a 61-74 deficit into an 80-all tie heading into overtime.
He expressed his determination to make amends for his absence in the crucial overtime period against the Green Archers by managing his emotions and further developing his character.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I was too much in the game. Sometimes, I have to control myself. I think if I had been there, we would have had a big chance to win this game. But I need to control myself sometimes. I got too wrapped up in the game, that’s why,” shared the Lycee Prive Du Sud product.
“I know that I’m like this; sometimes I get too into the game, but I have to control myself. It’s only about basketball, but it feels so personal sometimes. I have to manage myself in these kinds of situations. We’re going to face these situations again, and I have to take control of that.”
Despite his absence affecting their comeback efforts in overtime, Tounkara remained proud of how the Growling Tigers pushed the Green Archers to their limits.
He believes that with proper preparations, UST, now at a 4-5 record, can turn their fortunes around in pursuit of their first Final Four ticket since 2019.
“That really shows that we have a pretty good team this year. We keep growing, and we keep getting better every day. That’s what I see in the team. Through our preparations, we are going to perform much better as we look forward to the next five games,” he shared.
“We’re ready to give our all in the next game since we have two losses against UP and La Salle. We have to win the next one if we want to secure our spot in the Final Four.”
