Lipa, ace Eagle get one-game suspension

Ateneo bore the brunt of a midseason crackdown on erring players and coaches as it found itself without its mentor and key player when it plays Far Eastern U in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Asian Basketball Academy (ABA) yesterday slapped a one-game suspension on Ateneo coach Joe Lipa for unsporsmanlike conduct and stalwart Enrico Villanueva for his involvement in a fight during their game against the Adamson Falcons last week.

Also suspended for one game each were Adamson coach Luigi Trillo and cager Steve Rolan of the Falcons. Trillo stormed into the court after Villanueva and Rolan exchanged blows.

Lipa was sanctioned for throwing a chair in the second quarter of the Eagles’ game against the Falcons last Thursday that nearly hit referee George Gonzalez and Adamson slotman Edilberto Mangulabnan.

ABA chief Chot Reyes likewise suspended UE mentor Boyzie Zamar for incurring three technical fouls this season.

The suspension of Lipa and Villanueva is expected to greatly affect the Eagles when they take on the Tams in their 4 p.m. encounter.

Worse, the sanction automatically disqualifies leading MVP contender Villanueva from the MVP race.

Although they are just a game behind La Salle (9-1) at 8-2, the Eagles hope to get past the Tams, who will be out to imporve their 5-5 mark heading into the crucial phase of the elims.

In the other game, University of Santo Tomas (4-6) and University of the Philippines (3-7) clash at 2 p.m., each trying to stay in contention for a berth in the Final Four. – Joey Villar