Maroons coach suspended, Eagles want piece of lead vs Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo shoots for a share of the lead against University of Santo Tomas while rival La Salle eyes its fourth straight win against a coach Rey Madrid-less University of the Philippines today in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles seek their fifth win in six outings to join idle National U at the top in the 4 p.m. tiff with the Tigers (3-1) as the Archers try to make it four in a row after an 0-2 start against the winless Maroons (0-5), whose mentor was suspended on the eve of their 2 p.m. showdown.

Madrid was slapped a two-game ban by UAAP commissioner Andy Jao yesterday for issuing accusations and statements to the media that “undermine the integrity of the Commissioner’s office, who supervises officials of the games, as well as the whole UAAP tournament.”

Though Madrid had apologized, Jao said he failed to “explain or show evidence” of his accusations against game officials after the Maroons’ 57-73 loss to the Tigers last Saturday. 

“I do accept your apology. However, you must be accountable for your improper actions and statements,” Jao wrote the UP coach.

Madrid felt the sanction, made him ineligible to call the shots against La Salle today and Adamson on Saturday, was too much.

“I think it’s too harsh because I wasn’t expecting to be given with such sanction. I already apologized for what I have done and even talked to him personally. I just aired my view on what can be improved on the officiating. If this is their action, I need some clarification. I plan to appeal the suspension and I also want to talk to him (Jao) again,” Madrid said.

Ateneo, meanwhile, went closer to the pacesetting Bulldogs with an 81-78 win over Far Eastern last Sunday.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position but then again, as they say, things are going to change in one or two games’ time. So I’m hoping we can carry this (momentum) over to our next game,” said AdMU coach Bo Perasol.

The Tigers are on a three-game roll but two of those were grind-it-out types of wins over lesser lights UP and Adamson.

“This game against Ateneo will be the gauge whether the team has already adapted to our system. We expect a tough match against Ateneo,” said UST mentor Bong dela Cruz.

“Knowing UST, they’re going to find a way to address (their concerns). I don’t think they’re going to be lying over and giving us a win. We’re going to fight for it so we’re going to have to prepare hard for them,” said Perasol.