UP backs Bo Perasol, files formal appeal to reduce 3-game ban

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–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 two-game penalty was not defined based on existing UAAP rules.

The appeal signed by UP College of Human Kinetics head Francis Carlos Diaz 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.

READ: UP coach Bo Perasol to appeal 3-game ban, says it’s ‘too much’

Perasol was ejected in the third quarter of the 63-89 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles last 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 isn’t 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,” said Galang.

“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.”

READ: UP coach Bo Perasol suspended 3 games for outburst in loss to Ateneo

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.

“Essentially, the Commissioner created a new offense–– ‘continuous flagrant acts of aggression’––and, in our view, arbitrarily suspended Coach Bo for two more games.”

Galang said the exercise of discretion “should be guided by existing standards that can be found in other rules currently adopted by the UAAP.”

“It is our contention that the three-game suspension of Coach Bo is excessive, unwarranted, and unprecedented,” said Galang, who is also a founding member of NowheretogobutUP, the foundation helping UP sports teams.

READ: Perasol sorry after losing his cool in UP loss to Ateneo: ‘I need to be better’

Galang hopes Ilagan can compare the incident involving Perasol and its corresponding punishment with similar incidents in the past.”

“As video footage shows, Coach Bo uttered some harsh words but he did not at any point hit or make physical contact with referee Jaime Rivano,” said Galang. “At most I think one could argue that Coach Bo stood in an aggressive manner––but he did nothing beyond that.”

Galang cited the case of Aldin Ayo, who is now at the helm of University of Santo Tomas, three years ago when he was still calling the shots for La Salle. Ayo took the glasses of one of his staff members and placed them on the face of one of the referees officiating the game.

“In this case, the penalty was only one game,” said Galang. “In our research, multiple game suspensions have been given out before, by FIBA, no less, but these involved an all-out melee that included coaches and players from opposing teams.”