NATIONAL U’s Gelo Santiago was handed a five-game suspension following a review by the UAAP of a disqualifying foul he committed in the Bulldogs' 66-50 win over Ateneo on Sunday.
At the 8:50 mark in the third quarter, Santiago landed on Ateneo’s Waki Espina in a rebound battle. His right forearm struck the back of Espina’s head while the latter was lying in a prone position.
READ Santiago braces for possible sanctions after elbow hits Espina's head
Santiago was ejected from the game after an initial review of the sequence.
On Monday, the UAAP Season 88 Basketball Commissioner’s Office categorized Santiago’s action as an ‘unsportsmanlike and dangerous non-basketball play.’
As a result of the five-game ban, the 5-foot-8 guard will miss the remainder of the elimination round as the league-leading Bulldogs only have five games left to play in Round 2 with a 7-2 record.
The suspension will take effect starting Sunday, Nov. 2 when National U faces La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The other four games covered by Santiago’s ban include their prelims-ending bouts with Adamson (Nov. 8), FEU (Nov. 12), UE (Nov. 15) and UST (Nov. 23).
NU may still appeal the UAAP's decision before Santiago's suspension takes effect next week, the league said.
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