Ateneo’s win over UE may go for naught

ATENEO faces possible forfeiture of its recent win over University of the East as the Warriors filed a letter of clarification to the UAAP Board yesterday, citing a violation of a league rule on suspended team officials.

The Blue Eagles triumphed, 77-72, last Sunday  minus suspended coach Bo Perasol and eliminated the Warriors from Final Four contention in the men’s basketball tournament.

Rod Roque, UE’s representative to the UAAP Board, said yesterday that Perasol was spotted on the premises of Mall of Asia Arena, which is a violation of a rule that bars suspended team officials to stay on “the bench or the venue.”

A violation of the rule merits a game forfeiture.

“It’s not a protest, but we’re seeking a clarification of the rule,” said Roque, adding that there was a photo evidence of Perasol’s presence. “We were informed by people who saw him in the venue.”

A league rule also states that suspended players are not allowed on “the bench and its immediate vicinity.”

Curiously, several suspended players have also been spotted behind the bench this season.

UAAP secretary Malou Isip said the Board will tackle the issue in a meeting on Thursday.

A game forfeiture will be a big blow to the Blue Eagles’ semifinal campaign as the defending champions are fighting for the last Final Four slot against University of Santo Tomas. Both teams hold a 7-5 record.

National University, La Salle and Far Eastern University, all toting 9-4 records, already claimed the first three semifinal berths.

Perasol served a one-game suspension last Sunday for nearly storming the stands during a postgame altercation with a La Salle fan last week.

Assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga called the shots during the Blue Eagles’ crucial victory that ended the Warriors’ semifinal hopes.

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