THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has handed a two-game suspension to University of the East (UE) head coach Jack Santiago for “conduct unbecoming of a head coach” after an investigation conducted by the league showed him instructing his players to inflict harm on the University of the Philippines (UP) guard Ricci Rivero during their match last Saturday, April 2, 2022.
According to the UAAP, the incident happened during the second period. Although the specifics of what Santiago said was not made public, a game official overheard the instruction.
UAAP Season 84 basketball commissioner Tonichi 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."
Meanwhile, UE's Harvey Pagsanjan has also been summoned by the Commissioner's Office for his unsportsmanlike foul penalty two on UP's Zavier Lucero. The incident occurred at the 2:26 mark of the second quarter.