UAAP axe falls on two refs for Sunday’s ‘bad calls’

MANILA, Philippines–THE UAAP slapped a two-game ban on referees Ariel Bermeo and Glen Cornello for “bad calls” during the controversial men’s basketball match between the University of the Philippines and National University on Sunday.   League commissioner Ato Badolato also issued a one-game suspension on UP swingman Alvin Padilla and a warning on UP coach Boyet Fernandez after the match narrowly won by the Bulldogs, 61-59.   “The suspension on the referees was based on the bad calls made throughout the game,” said Badolato yesterday.   The 6-foot-2 Padilla was suspended anew for crossing the court and shouting invectives at the referees in the game that the winless Maroons placed under protest.   Padilla also served a one-game ban Thurs-day after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls.   UP coach Fernandez said the Maroons— who already lost to season-ending injuries main man Woody Co (sprained ankle) and Mark Lopez (anterior cruciate ligament)—will appeal Padilla’s second suspension.   “We have no players left, so we’re going to appeal,” said Fernandez, who drew the warning for crossing the court at the buzzer.   “I already offered an apology for what I did,” said Fernandez. “We’re standing up for what we think is right.”   The Maroons placed their loss to the Bulldogs under protest, citing the non-calls on a lane violation and a goal-tending violation.   But league officials dismissed UP’s goal-tending complaint, noting that the technical committee already agreed to forego goal-tending reviews in a previous coaches’ meeting.   State U also said a lane violation should have been called after NU’s Jewel Ponferrada missed his free throws with 1.2 seconds left.   UAAP board member Ricky Palou said UP may still appeal to the technical committee, of which he is also a member.   Ponferrada nailed his first foul shot with 1.2 seconds left, then deliberately missed five substitute free throws following consecutive lane violations slapped on the Maroons.   The Bulldogs’ ploy was to miss the free throws to deny the Maroons a chance to call a timeout and draw up a last-second play.