UAAP reduces UE coach suspension

UE Red Warriors’ coach Jack Santiago. UAAP PHOTO

From an original sanction of three games, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has downgraded its suspension of University of the East (UE) coach Jack Santiago for “conduct unbecoming of a head coach” to two games.

The league has canned Santiago after he was overheard instructing his student-athletes to deliberately harm University of the Philippines’ (UP) Ricci Rivero in the second quarter of their game last Saturday.

Basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante said a thorough review showed Santiago telling his players to inflict harm on Rivero.

Referee also suspended

Pujante had recommended a suspension on Santiago for the rest of the first round or the Red Warriors’ next three games, but the UE coach appealed the sanction, prompting the commissioner’s office to reduce it to two matches.

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

Santiago will also serve his suspension on Thursday against Adamson University.

Also suspended for one game is one of the three game officials of the UE-UP match. The erring referee was able to hear Santiago’s instructions to his players but failed to act on it.

The league did not disclose the name of the referee for privacy reasons.