UST big men Mo Tounkara and Echo Laure are expected to avoid suspension for their unsportsmanlike fouls during the Growling Tigers’ UAAP Season 87 opening win against the UE Red Warriors, team sources said.
Tounkara, UST’s foreign student-athlete (FSA), was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after shoving UE’s Devin Fikes after a rebound sequence and staring him down at the 3:34 mark of the third quarter.
“No game suspension,” UST assistant coach Peter Martin told the Varsitarian, explaining that players only face suspensions if they accumulate three unsportsmanlike fouls during the elimination round.
Tounkara, visibly frustrated after the incident, was calmed down by team captain Forthsky Padrigao and veteran Christian Manaytay. The 6-foot-8 big was apologetic in the ensuing play.
Echo Laure also received an unsportsmanlike foul in the game’s final seconds for seemingly elbowing UE’s Thirdy Malaga in the face.
According to FIBA rules, which the UAAP follows, unsportsmanlike fouls fall into four categories: Category 1 for fouls not aimed at playing the ball; Category 2 for excessive contact in an attempt to play the ball; Category 3 for stopping a fast break; and Category 4 for clear path fouls.
A player receives a one-game suspension after three unsportsmanlike fouls in a season, though the suspension depends on how the fouls are classified.
The league has not yet determined the classification of Tounkara and Laure’s fouls.
Assistant coach Japs Cuan said the team plans to submit an appeal to the UAAP, hoping to have the fouls reclassified as ordinary fouls.
The last UST player to be suspended was former FSA Adama Faye, who elbowed UE’s Harvey Pagsanjan in Season 85, leading to a one-game ban.
Tounkara ended the game with 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals in his UAAP debut.
The Growling Tigers will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ateneo will be without the injured Chris Koon. Rob Andrew L. Dongiapon
