UNIVERSITY of the Philippines will be fighting undermanned for the winner-take-all UAAP Season 87 finals Game Three on Sunday.
Reyland Torres is set to serve a one-game ban after being ejected in the fourth quarter of the Fighting Maroons' slim 76-75 Game Two defeat to La Salle on Wednesday.
READ: KQ wills La Salle past UP in Game 2 as UAAP finals goes to Game 3
He was sent off after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls, first for his hit on EJ Gollena at the 5:29 mark of the third quarter, then for his clear path foul on CJ Austria with 2:58 left in the game.
As per league rules, an ejection automatically entails a suspension in the succeeeding game. UP, however, can still appeal the impending sanction to the UAAP Commissioner’s Office 24 hours after receiving the memo.
UP needs new game plan for KQ
Torres’ presence will be sorely missed by the Fighting Maroons, especially with him being one of their peskiest defenders, showing more worth than his averages of 4.0 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.5 assist in 13 minutes of play in the championship series.
He has also been the center of attention in this brewing bad blood between these new-age rivals after the alleged spitting incident involving Green Archers shot-caller Topex Robinson back in their first round battle.
The Season 87 finals has been an emotional roller-coaster, and it finally hits its crescendo with the do-or-die decider set at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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