The University Athletics Association of the Philippines cracked the whip on three referees who received low grades in their Referee Game Report Card, a quantitative report by the country's premier collegiate league.

The league said the game officials will be grounded for three weeks, UAAP commissioner Xavier Nunag said.

"We take the responsibility of providing competent and professional referees to the league very seriously, and it is essential that all officials maintain the highest level of integrity and accuracy. The suspension is intended to give the referees the opportunity to reflect on their actions and to improve their performance."

"Please be assured that we will make every effort to find suitable replacements during the suspension and we will continue to monitor the performance of all our referees with the help of concrete data to ensure the highest standards are maintained."

In a letter circulating on social media yesterday, referees Allan Dasal, Allan Baria and Dennis Escaros were suspended after a dismal officiating in three of the four matches last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The games in question were University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University, defending champion Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East and De La Salle University and Adamson University.

Apart from the suspension, these referees won't be assigned to officiate games in the playoffs, Final Four and the best-of-three finals.