UP BACKS PERASOL, FILES FORMAL APPEAL

The University of the Philippines formally filed its motion for reconsideration to reduce the three-game ban on Fighting Maroons coach Bo Perasol, saying the basis for an additional twogame penalty was not defined based on existing UAAP rules.

The appeal signed by Francis Carlos Diaz, UP College of Human Kinetics head, argued that the two-game suspension penalty handed by tournament commissioner Jensen Ilagan on top of the automatic one-game ban on Perasol was excessive and unwarranted.

Ilagan, who cited Perasol’s “continuous flagrant acts of aggression” in slapping an additional two-game suspension on the UP coach, has 48 hours to make a decision based on UAAP rules.

Perasol was ejected in the third quarter of the 63-89 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday. He entered the court and appeared to be in a fighting stance as he confronted referee Jaime Rivano, despite being restrained by his players.

Lawyer Patricia Galang, legal counsel of the UP men’s basketball team, who helped draft the appeal, told the Inquirer they were hoping that Ilagan revisits his decision since the violation he cited is not defined by tournament rules.

“We know that tough sanctions are sometimes needed to deter unwelcome behavior on the court, but the penalties meted out by the UAAP should be commensurate to the violation,” Galang said.

“Coach Bo got a one-game suspension for his ejection, which is clear. But what’s the basis for the additional two games? The commissioner says it is for ‘continuous flagrant acts of aggression,’ a violation that does not exist as defined by tournament rules.”

Galang said they have also raised several issues regarding the factual bases of the penalty and the legal basis of Ilagan to mete out a multi-game suspension based on the violation of Perasol.