University of the Philippines questioned the officiating that was done during its game with the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles last Wednesday in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament.
The UP camp made its thoughts known in a letter by Atty. Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero, team manager of the UP men’s basketball team after the Fighting Maroons’ 87-79 defeat to the Blue Eagles.
Team officials are seeking the suspension the referees and reconsideration on the one-game suspension that was handed to Perasol following his ejection.
In the letter addressed to UAAP executive director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag, UP urged the UAAP to take action against what it deemed “deplorable” calls made by “incompetent” referees.
“We write to officially protest and implore action against what transpired during the University of the Philippines vs Ateneo de Manila University game last Wednesday, September 12, 2018. We are not writing because we lost,” wrote Uvero in a letter sent last Sept. 14.
Uvero added: “The UAAP must do something about this not because we lost. Losing is part of the game. But unfairness and bad officiating is certainly not. Nobody wins when bad calls or non-calls by game officials are not rectified and are allowed to continue.”
He explained that UP’s game against Ateneo was a “recurrence” after the Fighting Maroons only shot seven free throws as compared to the Blue Eagles’ 31.
Meanwhile, the Adamson Falcons may have beaten the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but this does not make them a championship contender.
Coach Franz Pumaren said this after their 74-70 triumph over the Blue Eagles nine days ago as they get ready to face the University of the East Warriors at the resumption of the tournament.
“We are still a team that’s trying to improve from our position last year,” said Pumaren as the Falcons brace for a 2 p.m. matchup with the University of the East Warriors.
Pumaren said that perfectly executing the game plan that was prepared in the last three months helped them win over the Blue Eagles.
And winning their next games is another thing.
“I think there’s still a lot to improve,” added Pumaren.
The Warriors, now handled by Joe Silva, are reeling from a 58-87 setback at the hands of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Later, the La Salle Green Archers will seek to bounce back from a 61-68 loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in their 4 p.m. clash with the National University Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have a 1-0 record after their 75-70 beating of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.