Pro basketball players, celebs slam Gelo Santiago’s unsportsmanlike foul

Following the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) decision to suspend National University’s Gelo Santiago for five games, members of the basketball community — along with several celebrities — expressed their outrage over the player’s violent on-court action.

The UAAP’s ruling was announced a day after the NU Bulldogs defeated Ateneo 66-50. During the 8:50 mark of the third quarter, Santiago struck Ateneo’s Waki Espinas in the head with his right forearm — an act that quickly drew criticism across the sports world.

Santiago’s five-game suspension will sideline him for the rest of the elimination round.

“Bro (Gelo Santiago) should be banned for the entire season,” said former UP Maroon and current Converge FiberXer Juan Gomez de Liaño in an Instagram post shared by Hoop Junkie.

Former Ateneo Blue Eagles Anton Asistio, Thirdy Ravena, and SJ Belangel also voiced their disapproval.

“Five games, that’s it? Players like him should be banned for a long time,” commented three-time UAAP Finals MVP Ravena.

“Even in MMA, the elbow to the back of the head is not allowed,” said current Rain or Shine Elasto Painter Anton Asistio.

Belangel, who now plays for Daegu Kogas in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), shared the video on Facebook, warning that such actions are dangerous and could end a player’s career if a sensitive area of the head is struck.

De La Salle Green Archers Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos also joined the discussion — Cortez commented with laugh emojis, while Amos, who suffered an MCL tear in his right knee after an earlier collision with Santiago, wrote “SMH.”

“He should be banned, transferred to MMA,” actor Richard Gutierrez quipped, while fellow actor Mikoy Morales said that a five-game suspension was insufficient, noting that such a move is illegal even in boxing.

Politician Mark Leviste also weighed in, calling out the UAAP management and commissioner Jai Reyes, asking, “Do we have to wait for a result to be critical or fatal before the right sanctions are imposed?”