CONTRARY to chatter online, Reyland Torres escaping suspension for Game Three of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals on Sunday has nothing to do with the powers that be.
READ: Reyland Torres escapes suspension after UP appeal OK'd
It’s not because of the University of the Philippines serving as season host and, most definitely, it does not involve any alleged puppeteering from the Fighting Maroons’ benefactors.
The UAAP Commissioner’s Office clarified that the downgrading of the penalty has always been about the nature of the infraction - the same standards it has upheld from the opening tip-off of the tournament.
“It’s always guided by FIBA rules which we adhere to,” commissioner Xavy Nunag explained to SPIN.ph after being sought for clarification on the decision.
In Torres’ case, his second unsportsmanlike foul was a clear path foul – one falling under category 4 which states “an illegal contact caused by a player from behind or laterally on an opponent, who is progressing towards the opponent’s basket and with no opponents between the progressing player and the basket.”
It’s the same as that in the case of Adamson forward Jhon Calisay, who also evaded a one-game ban after being ejected in their game against Ateneo.
Nunag explained that unsportsmanlike fouls which fall under category 3 and aforementioned category 4 are not counted for accumulation of suspension in the UAAP because of the nature of infraction.
Category 3 states “an unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition.”
As such, most of the time, these penalties merit an automatic downgrading of the suspension.
So what happened to Precious Momowei?
On the flipside, unsportsmanlike fouls which fall under the first two categories are treated differently.
Category 1 states “contact with an opponent not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.”
Category 2, meanwhile, states “excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.”
This is where University of the East’s Precious Momowei’s case falls under.
Already whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul after his elbow to Mo Tounkara earlier in the game, Momowei was sent off in the Red Warriors' second round clash against University of Santo Tomas for his strong drive against Gelo Crisostomo which resulted to a cut on the Growling Tigers forward’s right eyelash.
The foul was placed under category 2 which led to the upholding of the one-game ban.
Tounkara’s suspension, meantime, was also different, as he was called for two technical fouls, the second of which was for taunting, that led to his ejection against La Salle.
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