University of the Philippines head coach Bo Perasol
MANILA — The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) handed a stiff penalty to University of the Philippines head coach Bo Perasol after fuming at a referee in the third quarter of his team's finals rematch with Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday night.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Jensen Ilagan announced that Perasol was handed a three-game suspension for the said action.
Due to Perasol getting sent off in the said game, he incurred an automatic one-game ban but following a review of the incident, Ilagan resolved that Perasol should be meted a longer ban.
"After careful review of the game video, Bo Perasol committed continuous flagrant acts of aggression towards the calling official after being restrained repeatedly by the UP Fighting Maroons team members. Based on [Article] 9.2.3 of the UAAP General Tournament Guidelines 2019, Bo Perasol is hereby suspended for three games and will be served immediately in their next games," Ilagan said in a memorandum sent to Perasol, which was made public on social media.
Perasol's actions stemmed from what he thought was a foul by Ange Kouame on Javi Gomez de Liaño at the 6:23 mark of the third quarter of the said game won by the Blue Eagles, 89-63.
When Referee Jaime Rivano, who deduced that Kouame got a clean block on Gomez de Liaño, let the play continue, Perasol charged at him, hurled some invectives, and even did a punching pose.
Perasol still came toward Rivano a couple more times before his coaching staff and players finally pacified him.
The said incident became the basis for Ilagan to extend Perasol's sanction.
"May this incident be an example for players and coaches alike to exhibit tremendous restraint and discipline, not just towards officials but everyone on the court," Ilagan said in a separate statement. (PNA)
