UAAP: UE coach suspended for instructing players to ‘harm’ Ricci Rivero

UE Red Warriors’ coach Jack Santiago. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The UAAP has suspended University of the East coach Jack Santiago for two games for “conduct unbecoming of a head coach” following his actions in their game against University of the Philippines.

The league said Santiago was heard instructing his players to “deliberately harm” Fighting Maroons’ Ricci Rivero in the second quarter of their Season 84 men’s basketball match-up last Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

UP thoroughly beat the winless UE, 81-66, in that game.

A three-game suspension was initially recommended by the league after a thorough review but was commuted to two games following Santiago’s appeal to the UAAP Commissioner’s office.

“Violence is never an option,” said UAAP basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante. “Let this serve as a lesson to the entire UAAP community as well.”

Santiago will serve his suspension on Tuesday and Thursday.

One of the referees working that game, whose name was not disclosed, was also banned for one game for “failing to act” despite hearing Santiago’s instructions to his team.

The UAAP has also summoned UE’s Harvey Pagsanjan for his unsportsmanlike foul penalty two on UP’s Zavier Lucero which happened 2:26 in the second period.