UE asks UAAP Board to look into Perasol's presence at MOA Arena
Will Ateneo pay a stiff price for the alleged appearance of suspended head coach Bo Perasol at the Mall of Asia Arena during the team’s 77-72 victory against University of the East last Sunday?
The Red Warriors team management filed a letter to the UAAP Board on Monday “seeking a clarification on the rule” that–if proven true–may cost Perasol and the Blue Eagles big time as the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage championships enters its “make-or-break” stage.
No less than Adamson’s Malou Isip, who serves as the league’s secretary-treasurer, confirmed that UE representative Rod Roque submitted the letter and urged the Board to take the necessary steps on Perasol’s alleged appearance.
According to an existing league rule, suspended team officials “are not allowed on the bench or venue during the period of suspension.” Suspended players, on the other hand, are “not allowed on the bench and immediate vicinity.”
If the Board finds sufficient evidence, it may rule a forfeiture of the match, in the process handing the victory that will put UE (5-7) back into semifinals contention and leave Ateneo’s sixth straight title bid in peril.
Isip, however, refused to make any comment about the possible scenario and, instead, disclosed the Board will tackle the issue during its regular meeting this Thursday.
Yahoo Philippines tried but failed to get any comment from Roque.
Ateneo team manager Paolo Trillo, meanwhile, remained tight-lipped. “No comment,” he stated in an SMS message.
Two photographs showing Pearasol being asked to leave the playing area by league technical committee member Ato Badolato and of him shaking assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga's hand after the Blue Eagles' 77-72 win have been making the social media rounds. The photos originally appeared on the local sports website fullcourtfresh.com.
A forfeiture would deal the Blue Eagles a big blow in their battle for a Final Four slot. They are currently tied for fourth with UST with a 7-5 record, and if their win over UE is forfeited, they will slip into a tie with the Warriors for fifth at 6-6.
