UP coach Bo Perasol to appeal 3-game ban, says it’s ‘too much’
MANILA, Philippines–Calling the punishment excessive, University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol will appeal his three-game suspension slapped by the UAAP, which took into account his “continuous flagrant acts of aggression” towards a game official in the Fighting Maroons’ 63-89 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday.
Perasol’s ejection merited an automatic one-game ban as part of the tournament guidelines, but UAAP commissioner Jensen Ilagan handed an additional two-game ban for the UP mentor’s action towards referee Jaime Rivano even after being restrained repeatedly by his players.
READ: UP coach Bo Perasol suspended 3 games for outburst in loss to Ateneo
“After thorough review and careful deliberation made by the technical committee, we deemed it fit that the penalty of three-game suspension handed to coach Bo Perasol for his actions in the game between Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines last Sunday,” said Ilagan in a statement.
“Do acknowledge that similar actions of the same grain shall be dealt with similar penalties.”
Perasol, whose Fighting Maroons are at second spot with a 5-2 record, said appealing the decision is the “most rational action to do” as the tournament is already at a critical stretch.
READ: Perasol urges UP community to rally behind Maroons ‘come what may’
“I’ve already said my piece about regretting what I did,” said Perasol in a message to the Inquirer. “A three-game suspension for an ejection is just too much. More importantly, because the tournament is in its critical stage going into the second round. That’s practically half of the second round.”
Pending his appeal, Perasol will serve his suspension during UP’s games against Far Eastern University (October 6), University of the East (October 12), and University of Santo Tomas (October 16). Ricky Dandan will call the shots for the Fighting Maroons in lieu of Perasol.
READ: Perasol sorry after losing his cool in UP loss to Ateneo: ‘I need to be better’
Ilagan hopes the incident will serve as a lesson for the rest of the teams in the league to “exhibit tremendous restraint and discipline not just towards officials but everyone on the court.”
“We’d also like to remind the teams that there are proper avenues to raise these contradictions and complaints to protect the sanctity of the game we all love,” Ilagan added.
