SOMEHOW, some way, University of the East always finds itself in an unenviable position of being at the mercy of league officials - which seemingly has been the trend over the post-pandemic years of the UAAP.
It continued this Season 88, following penalties handed to coach Chris Gavina and captain Wello Lingolingo after the Recto school’s controversial 111-110 overtime loss to La Salle last Wednesday.
Lingolingo was the first to be slapped with a three-game ban by the Commissioner’s Office for "excessive and forceful contact" on his unsportsmanlike foul on Kean Baclaan when the former dove for the loose ball then landed on the latter’s knees which led to the Green Archers guard suffering a right MCL tear.
Two days later, the UAAP Board of Managing Directors punished Gavina with a four-game suspension for his “unprofessional conduct toward the game officials” after the Red Warriors coach’s profanity-laced press conference.
UE's off-court battles
These suspensions continue an unwanted stretch for UE, as it has been cited for discipline in four of the last five seasons now.
Last season, Precious Momowei was also handed a one-game ban for his ejection after committing two unsportsmanlike fouls against University of Santo Tomas' Gelo Crisostomo and Mo Tounkara.
The year prior, Momowei, who was then the frontrunner for Season 86 Rookie of the Year honors, was disqualified for the award after also being suspended for one game after being whistled for his second unsportsmanlike foul during a rebound play against La Salle's Kevin Quiambao.
This decision also prompted UE president Dr. Zosimo Battad to step down from his post as chairman of the UAAP Board of Trustees in a year where the Recto school served as season hosts.
And of course, there was Season 84 when then-head coach Jack Santiago was handed a two-game suspension for "conduct unbecoming of a head coach" when he was heard instructing his wards to deliberately hurt the University of the Philippines guard Ricci Rivero.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
