Narvasa suspends another ref

UAAP commissioner Chito Narvasa yesterday suspended for the rest of the season another referee, who “lacked the demeanor to officiate big UAAP games.”

Narvasa told The STAR that, upon consultation with the technical group, they decided to sack Joel Atienza for his lack of readiness in officiating big games in the league.

Narvasa cited the technical foul Atienza slapped on Far Eastern U coach Glen Capacio in the crucial stretch of their 59-62 loss to defending champion La Salle at the Big Dome. Thursday.

Narvasa had suspended referee Bryan Tabanag who made errors in a game also involving FEU and La Salle in the first round of the eliminations.

“It’s not that he’s incompetent. He (Atienza) is competent to officiate in the seniors division but he didn’t have the demeanor to officiate big games,” Narvasa told The STAR in a phone interview.

“The referees should be the guide, teacher out there. He should be the one telling the players and coaches to behave and remind them of league rules. He should also show restraint,” he added.

Tabanag was banned indefinitely early in the first round for admitting he made two judgment errors in the La Salle-FEU game which the Archers won.

Narvasa, however, clarified that game-fixing has nothing to do with the recent suspension although the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police have been conducting an investigation on the matter.  – Joey Villar