Archers take another big blow

Depleted De La Salle University will be another man down when it faces archrival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday in a marquee clash in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Vhoris Marasigan has been handed a one-game suspension by the league on Tuesday following a disqualifying foul he committed during the Green Archers’ previous outing over the weekend.

Marasigan’s sanction stems from a disqualifying foul he incurred during La Salle’s 67-75 loss to National University last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The infraction occurred at the 4:52 mark in the second quarter, when Marasigan, prior to an inbound pass, threw a closed left fist to the abdomen of Bulldogs center Omar John, resulting in his ejection.

Marasigan also had a previous unsportsmanlike foul in the first round.

His first occurred during the Green Archers’ 84-93 loss to University of Santo Tomas on 27 September when he made a non-basketball play by swinging his left hand toward the lower part of Kyle Paranada’s body, leading to an unsportsmanlike foul (criteria 1) with 8:14 left in the match.

Marasigan’s absence is a huge blow for La Salle, which is already plucked of key pieces in Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan due to season-ending knee injuries.

The Green Archers, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped, aim to stay on track for a top two spot with the Final Four race nearing its climax.

La Salle lost to the Blue Eagles in their first-round meeting, rallying from 31 points down only to falter in the end, 81-74.

The league said that the Green Archers may file a motion for reconsideration regarding the suspension.