UE suspensions 'right for the league' - Loyzaga
“I just decided what is right for the game and for the league.”
This, in a nutshell, was how league commissioner Chito Loyzaga described his decision to slap two-game suspensions each on erring University of the East cagers Charles Mammie and Lord Casajeros, who figured in separate incidents with Far Eastern U star Terrence Romeo during the Tamaraws’ 98-94 double overtime win three days ago.
After reviewing the tape, Loyzaga stressed the 6-foot-7 Mammie should have been meted an unsportsmanlike foul for "sticking out his foot on the landing area of the shooter (Romeo).”
The Sierra Leone native was initially hit with a one-game ban for "confronting, pushing, and kicking” Roider Cabrera of Adamson in an intense match won by the Falcons, 78-71, last July 11, prompting Loyzaga to enforce a two-game suspension this time.
“He had already been assessed two previous unsportsmanlike fouls that earlier led to a one-game ban in the first round. That's his third offense. Based on UAAP rules, you get a warning for your first offense, a one-game suspension for your second and a two-game suspension for your third," he pointed out.
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As for Casajeros, Loyzaga said the forward was caught "either throwing a punch or using an elbow from the blindside to bring down Romeo" in the second canto. The UE defensive ace, however, escaped any infraction from game officials.
"I believe that kind is intention deserves a high penalty. In my personal opinion, if that foul was seen by the referees, it should have been a disqualifying foul right then and there," added the former pro league cager.
During the first overtime period when UE was protecting a 78-75 lead, Casajeros was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after hitting the face of Romeo with an elbow.
"Based on UAAP rules, a disqualifying foul is (meted) one game suspension and since he already had a warning (in the first round) and a new unsportsmanlike foul, that's another game. That's one plus one equals two," stressed Loyzaga.
“I believe every player that plays in the UAAP should play in the spirit of the game,” he said.
Several hours later, UE’s representative to the UAAP Board Rodrigo Roque and men’s basketball coach Boycie Zamar met with Loyzaga to formally inform him the school will submit a formal letter of appeal to the Technical Committee on Friday.
“At least, we want the suspension to be downgraded, if not lifted,” said Roque.
