University of the East’s John Dexter Santos and Ateneo de Manila University’s Jay-M Leal have each received a one-game suspension for separate disciplinary violations in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
The UAAP Basketball Commissioner’s Office announced the sanctions, with Santos set to miss UE’s game against De La Salle University on Wednesday, October 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, while Leal will sit out Ateneo’s matchup against Far Eastern University on Saturday, October 24, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Santos was penalized for a disqualifying foul against University of the Philippines’ Dikachi Udodo. The incident occurred with 34 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as players positioned themselves for a rebound.
Santos struck the back of Udodo’s head with his right forearm before hitting the UP player in the face with the same arm. The officials initially called an unsportsmanlike foul but upgraded it to a disqualifying foul after reviewing the play through the Instant Replay System.
Leal, meanwhile, was suspended after accumulating two unsportsmanlike fouls during Ateneo’s games against FEU and the University of Santo Tomas.
His second infraction occurred on October 17 against UST, with 23 seconds left in the second quarter. As Leal and UST’s Ice Danting battled for rebounding position, the Ateneo player forcefully swung his left elbow toward Danting’s neck and chest area.
Although the officials did not call a foul during the sequence, the Commissioner’s Office reviewed the incident and imposed a sanction under its authority to address serious misconduct and protect fair play, sportsmanship and the integrity of the competition, in accordance with UAAP House Rules and applicable FIBA regulations.
Leal’s first unsportsmanlike foul was recorded on October 10 against FEU. With 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, he swung his right hand downward toward the face and shoulder of FEU’s Rojan Montemayor as the latter drove to the basket, without making a legitimate attempt to play the ball.
The officials initially called a personal foul before immediately upgrading it to an unsportsmanlike foul.
Both players will serve their respective suspensions in their teams’ next scheduled games identified by the Commissioner’s Office. (Adrian Co)
