Santiago slapped with 5-game ban

Gelo Santiago of National University has been slapped with a five-game suspension by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) following a disqualifying foul he committed during Sunday's Season 88 men's basketball game against Ateneo de Manila University.

The office of basketball commissioner Jai Reyes announced the ban on Santiago a day after his ejection in the third quarter of the Bulldogs' 66-50 win at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Santiago will start serving his suspension on 2 November against De La Salle University.

He's also forced to sit out NU's remaining second round matches against Adamson University on 8 November, Far Eastern University on 12 November, University of the East on 18 November and UST on 23 November.

The Bulldog committed a dangerous non-basketball play at the 8:50 mark of the third canto after he and Waki Espina fell on the court after a rebound play.

Santiago struck Espina on the back of the head with his right forearm while the Ateneo player was in a prone position, which resulted in his ejection.

"After a review, the UAAP Season 88 Basketball Commissioner's Office deemed Santiago's conduct unsportsmanlike and considered the act dangerous," the UAAP statement read.