UE Red Warriors coach Jack Santiago. UAAP pictures
MANILA, Philippines – UAAP has fired University of the East coach Jack Santiago for two games “for head coach behavior” for his actions in their game against the University of the Philippines.
The league said it was heard at the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday instructing Santiago to “intentionally harm” its players in the second quarter of their season 84 men’s basketball match-up.
In that game, UP defeated the undefeated UE, 81-66.
After a thorough review, a three-game suspension was initially recommended by the league but was changed to two games after Santiago’s application to the UAAP commissioner’s office.
“Violence is never an option,” said UAAP basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante. “Let it serve as a lesson for the entire UAAP community as well.”
A referee who worked on the game, whose name has not been released, was also banned for a game for “failing to act” despite his team listening to Santiago’s instructions.
UAAP summons Harvey Pogsanjan of UP for a foul penalty tour of his Xavier-like foul on UP’s Javier Lucero which was 2:26 in the second period.
Santiago will observe his suspension on Tuesday and Thursday.
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