Michael Calisaan was having another standout game on Friday afternoon, scoring 19 points in just 21 minutes against the EAC Generals. However, after being penalized with his first unsportsmanlike foul in the second frame, the officials deemed that a foul he had committed against Sidney Onwubere with 1:14 left in the third canto was an unsportsmanlike foul as well, ejecting him from the contest.
“As a player, alam mo naman sa sarili mo kung unsportsmanlike yun. Lalo na di naman sa mukha, di naman sa ulo. Sa siko lang, kahit i-review pa,” the San Sebastian senior pleaded after the game.
“Sa bola naman ang intensyon ko kaso binali niya kaya tinamaan siya sa braso, hindi sa mukha.”
As per the NCAA house rules, two flagrant fouls automatically forfeits a student-athlete from receiving any post-season awards. And with averages of 16.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, Calisaan would have been a sure-shot for the All-NCAA team.
“Wala naman sa’kin yun. Ang importante sa akin, manalo kami at makamit namin yung matagal naming hinahangad na mag-champion this season,” the 22-year old shared.
But making this more painful for the stretch big man is that an ejection automatically results in a one-game suspension in the Grand Old League. In this case, Calisaan’s suspension will be enacted on Thursday, August 24, when the Golden Stags host the JRU Heavy Bombers in Recto.
“Next game pa namin sa home court namin. First time ko sana makalaro sa homecourt namin. Yun ang iniisip ko eh. Kung suspended ako ng isang laro,” Calisaan lamented.
“Kailangan kumpleto kami pag naglalaro kasi kailangan talaga manalo kami para makuha namin pang-limang panalo namin, para sa second round, medyo angat na kami.”
Still, he is hoping for the best once the league commissioner reviews the tape of the game.
