ATENEO coach Bo Perasol has been suspended for one game by the UAAP board for attempting to storm the stands and confront a De La Salle fan who had heckled him after the rival schools' game on Sunday afternoon.
The La Salle fan, later identified as JJ Atayde, has also been banned by the board from watching league games at venues for the rest of the season.
The suspensions were handed out during an emergency meeting by the board on Wednesday in one of the rooms inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Our mission and vision is to promote the highest form of sportsmanship. We want to be consistent on that and we want all the players, coaches, officials, and fans to observe that behavior,” said UAAP secretary treasurer Malou Isip at the end of the meeting.
Perasol, who will now have to skip Ateneo's game against the UE Warriors on Sunday owing to the suspension, said he was under instructions to wait for the release of the official Ateneo statement before talking about the penalty.
"Personally, I trust the collective wisdom of the UAAP board and will abide by it," the Ateneo coach said.
The decision was based on videos of the near-fracas and incident reports that were submitted to the UAAP board.
Perasol attempted to cross the railings and confront Atayde in the stands after the La Salle supporter heckled him by shouting, “Perasol, salamat sa pagpapanalo sa amin,” while he was on his way to the dugout after the Blue Eagles’ 64-66 defeat to the Green Archers.
Still, Isip said a season ban is still in order for Atayde.
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