ALLAN THE MAN

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will not be forced to forfeit their victory against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors last September 8, but head coach Bo Perasol has been suspended for their last game of the elimination round.

A source close to the league board told ABS-CBN News that the Blue Eagles will not be forced to forfeit their 77-72 win, which was put at risk after UE filed a letter seeking clarification.

Perasol, who was suspended for the game after his confrontation with La Salle alumnus JJ Atayde, was spotted inside the Mall of Asia Arena, violating a league rule that bans suspended coaches from being inside the playing venue while serving their suspension.

But Ateneo countered with their own letter of clarification, and asked the UAAP Board to look into the presence of suspended UE guard Ralf Olivares near the team bench during the same game. UAAP rules disallows suspended players to be “in the immediate vicinity” of the bench during their period of suspension. (read full story here)

After a long meeting on Thursday, the source said the UAAP Board decided to let Ateneo keep the victory, preserving their chances of making the Final Four of the Season 76 men’s basketball tournament.

But the same source said Perasol will be suspended for Ateneo’s last game of the season, a vital clash against the University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday. This is because his presence at the MOA Arena in the UE game meant that he failed to serve his suspension.

The decision also ensures that the Red Warriors, one of the teams favored to compete for the UAAP title, are out of the running for a spot in the Final Four going into their last two assignments of the elimination round.

Meanwhile, the suspended players who were seen in the immediate vicinity of their bench will be given a warning, according to the source.

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