MO Tounkara won’t be present for University of Santo Tomas when it plays at home against Ateneo on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Growling Tigers coach Pido Jarencio relayed the unfortunate update to SPIN.ph, saying that their appeal for the Malian big has been denied by the Commissioner’s Office.
“Suspended na,” he said in a short chat on Friday.
Tounkara has been a vital part of UST’s campaign this UAAP Season 87, averaging 15.11 points, 8.56 rebounds, and 1.0 assist through nine games.
But two technical fouls and a subsequent ejection in their 94-87 overtime loss to La Salle on Wednesday means that the 6-foot-8 center won’t get the chance to play in front of his fellow Thomasians.
READ: Tiger tower Mo Tounkara in danger of missing UST home game vs Ateneo
Even more, he's now ineligible to win any of end of season awards. Tounkara was running seventh in the MVP race at the end of the first round.
This will leave a big gaping hole in the middle for UST, as Jarencio will have to rely on undersized forwards Christian Manaytay, Gelo Crisostomo, and Migs Pangilinan, as well as young slotmen Zain Mahmood and Echo Laure to man the paint.
The black-and-gold seeks to end a two-game losing skid and rise from its 4-5 win-loss card.
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