UP Head Coach suspended 2 games for point shaving accusation

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines Head Coach Rey Madrid has been suspended for two games by UAAP Season 77 Commissioner Andy Jao for the “point shaving” accusation he made following his team’s loss to the UST Growling Tigers on Saturday, August 2.

The news was confirmed to Rappler by UAAP Board Secretary Rod Roque, who said that the commissioner, despite having say of the final verdict, first consulted members of the UAAP board before coming to a conclusion.

“We sent a letter to Chancellor Michael Tan and Dean Ronnie Dizer (UP Board members) and Rey Madrid about the suspension,” Roque said.

The suspension was also confirmed by another member of the UAAP board who requested for anonymity.

After watching his team blow a double-digit lead to UST on Saturday, Coach Madrid talked to the media about how he felt the game’s referees were purposely running the score, stating how the officials were helping the Growling Tigers build a huge lead in the fourth quarter.

“Talo na yung game. Hinahabol pa nila. Ilan ba ang plus? I would know kung ano yung plus na inaalagaan nila. Dinikit pa nila. Sinigurado nila. Mahirap magsabi kasi tinambakan na kami, pero tinulungan eh. Ang laki na nga eh.”

(It’s not hard to think of malice at that point. They were able to reach the score. The game was over but they were still chasing a score. How many is the plus? I would know the plus they’re trying to protect. They closed the gap. They made made sure of it. It’s hard to say anything because they beat us by a huge margin, but they [referees] helped them [UST]. The lead was big already.)

The following day, Sunday, August 4, Jao said that he didn’t agree with the accusations made by Madrid and that he would discuss the situation with the irate head coach before coming to a decision, which he made today, Tuesday, August 5.

Madrid will miss the remainder of his team’s first round games in the senior’s basketball tournament of Season 77 against the De La Salle Green Archers and the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

The Fighting Maroons are currently in last place in the team standings along with the Soaring Falcons, as both teams have identical 0-5 records. – Rappler.com