CEBU CITY – Cebu Eastern College (CEC) team consultant Mark Anthony Tallo was slapped with a suspension after confronting a game official in the preseason of the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (CESAFI).

CESAFI commissioner Felix Tiunkinhoy meted out the punishment following an emotional battle between CEC and University of San Carlos (USC) last week at the Cebu Coliseum.

Tallo nearly punched referee Herbert Rosal, prompting the Dragons to run away with the victory despite the late-game uprising waged by the Warriors.

Tallo, who played professionally in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was slapped with a P5,000 fine and banishment from the rest of the preseason games.

He will be back when the Dragons open their campaign in the regular season either late July or early August.

Prior to Tallo’s suspension, CESAFI also punished USC shooting guard John Reel Saycon after figuring in a scuffle with Tristan Albina of University of the Visayas.