UAAP slaps Alas with 2-game ban

Louie Alas, head coach of Ateneo de Manila University, has been handed a two-game suspension following the accumulation of two infractions and his unsportsmanlike conduct after the Ateneo-UP game on Saturday in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Alas will serve his suspension on Wednesday when the Blue Eagles face Adamson University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and on Sunday when they take on the University of Santo Tomas at the same venue.

One game of the suspension stems from an incident at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter of Ateneo’s game against UP on 7 November.

Alas entered the court to complain about a non-call and remained on the playing court despite being warned by the nearest referee to return to the sideline. He was subsequently assessed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Alas’ first infraction occurred during Ateneo’s game against UST on 17 October.

At the 5:15 mark of the third quarter, he attempted to distract UST’s Amiel Acido as the latter attempted a corner three-pointer. After Acido converted the shot, Alas touched the back of the UST player. Although the incident was missed by the game officials, the Commissioner’s Office reviewed the play and imposed the appropriate disciplinary sanction under the UAAP House Rules and applicable FIBA regulations.

Alas had previously served a one-game suspension on 10 October after accumulating three infractions, with his infraction count reset to two following the first suspension, as per UAAP House Rules.

The second game of his latest suspension stems from his conduct after the 7 November game against UP. With less than a second remaining, Alas entered the court, pointed at UP’s Jacob Bayla, and cursed at him following the latter’s dunk. He again pointed at and cursed at the UP player during the post-game handshake.

Alas also engaged in an exchange with UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon despite attempts by UP coaches to pacify him. The Commissioner’s Office determined that his actions escalated tensions between the two teams and risked a potential altercation.

Before the start of the second round, all coaches were issued a memorandum reminding them to refrain from engaging in altercations with opposing players and to uphold the values of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play that the UAAP stands for.

Ateneo de Manila University can appeal the decision.