UAAP: Mo Tounkara suspended for UST home game vs Ateneo

UST Growling Tigers’ Mo Tounkara during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game against La Salle Green Archers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —University of Santo Tomas’ appeal to overturn Mo Tounkara’s one-game suspension has been denied and he will miss the first-ever home game on Saturday in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the campus’ Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The UAAP on Friday announced that the Malian center will have to serve his suspension when the Growling Tigers battle the Ateneo Blue Eagles, following his two technical fouls in their 94-87 loss to defending champion La Salle two days ago. 

Tounkara, who is averaging 15.11 points and 8.56 rebounds per game, may no longer be qualified to win individual awards this season as receiving two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct results in disqualification and a one-game suspension.

READ: UAAP: UST’s Mo Tounkara vows better self control after ejection

But UST can still appeal to the Board of Managing Directors for Tounkara’s eligibility for individual awards.

The UST big was ejected after taunting Mike Phillips and received his second technical foul at the 3:38 mark of the fourth quarter.

His first was in the first quarter with 5:41 left after flexing his muscles on Henry Agunanne — an act classified as “taunting” under FIBA rules.

READ: UAAP: Mo Tounkara looks to do better for skidding UST Tigers

After the loss, Tounkara admitted that emotions got the better of him, vowing to be better next time.

“Man, I was too much in the game. Sometimes I have to control myself. I think, if I were there we would’ve had a much [better] chance to win this game. I need to control myself sometimes. I got too much in the game,” he said.

Losing their first two games in the first round, UST seeks to bounce back against Ateneo in front of its home crowd as Forthsky Padrigao stressed that “they need to win” with a 4-5 record to keep their Final Four hopes on track.