By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
AFTER missing their head coach in their two previous games because of suspension, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons welcome back Bo Perasol when they take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers today in a UAAP Season 82 game at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The UP coach was suspended by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for three games after his outburst in their 89-62 loss to the defending champions and still-undefeated Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sept. 29.
With 6:23 remaining in the third quarter in said game, Mr. Perasol was ejected from the contest after going after a game official over what he perceived to be non-calls for his team.
He was slapped with two technical fouls for excessive complaining and was tossed out immediately.
What followed was the league, after evaluation of what happened, meted the UP coach a three-game suspension for his actions which the Maroons tried to appeal against but with no success.
On Monday though, the UAAP came out with a decision to lift the third game in the suspension of Mr. Perasol after the coach “expressed his sincerest apologies” to the league and referee Jaime Rivano over his actions in the Ateneo game.
“Last Saturday was the first time our office heard directly from Coach Bo and we appreciate his sincerity and evident humility in expressing his regret regarding the incident between him and referee Rivano which happened last September 29,” said UAAP basketball commissioner Jensen Ilagan in a statement regarding the lifting of suspension of Mr. Perasol.
“Coach Bo emphasized how he deeply regretted his actions towards the official and extended his apology towards the UAAP Board, organization, and the entire community,” he added.
With the lifting of the suspension, Mr. Perasol can now parade sidelines for their game against UST, set for 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
While not with the team, UP went 1-1, losing to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 82-79, in overtime on Oct. 6, and winning over the University of the East Red Warriors, 78-75, on Oct. 12, to continue to place second in the standings with a 6-3 record.
Against the Warriors, the Maroons had it tough as UE put a gallant stand. But UP eventually found ways to win in the end to halt what was then a skid of two games.
Bright Akhuetie posted 18 points and 14 rebounds for UP despite an early knee injury scare, with Jun Manzo adding 17 and Kobe Paras 14 points.
Ricci Rivero and Javi Gomez de Liano, meanwhile, combined for 20 points and four steals for the Maroons.
Meanwhile, out to give Mr. Perasol a rude welcome back are the Tigers (5-5).
UST lost to FEU in their last game, 72-58, on Oct. 13.
Brent Paraiso fired 12 points for UST, which shot a horrid 9-of-27 clip from downtown in said game where they had a hard time gaining headway.
Rhenz Abando and Zachy Huang both scored 11 points apiece while leading UAAP most valuable player candidate Soulemane Chabi Yo only got seven points but had 15 rebounds, and two blocks.
Also playing today are the De La Salle Green Archers (4-5) against UE (3-7) at 10:30 a.m. and Ateneo (10-0) versus FEU (5-5) at 12:30 noon.
