Technical committee chair Ricky Palou of Ateneo yesterday said referees would be stricter against taunting and trash-talking when the best-of-three 68th UAAP finals pitting Far Eastern University and La Salle resumes on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.
"If a player or a coach or a team member will be caught trash-talking and taunting, he would be warned. Another infraction, he’ll be slapped a technical foul," Palou told The STAR.
Palou said this would be done to prevent an ugly incident similar to what happened between La Salle assistant manager Manny Salgado and FEU’s Arwind Santos in last Thursday’s Game 1 from occurring again in Game 2.
Also, players and team members will be compelled to line up and shake hands at center court before and after the match similar to what was traditionally done in volleyball games.
"Papipilahin na natin sila sa center-court before and after the game as a sign of sportsmanship," said Palou.
It can be recalled that Salgado hit Santos at the back of the head after the Tams edged the Archers, the defending champions, in an epic 75-73 win. It almost triggered a free-for-all before cooler heads prevailed.
The board decided to ban Salgado from watching all UAAP sports competitions in all venues for life.
Salgado publicly apologized to Santos, both the FEU and La Salle communities, and the UAAP itself for the acts he described as "uncalled for and unacceptable." The gray-haired former Games and Amusement Board commissioner said he will not appeal the decision and will put the issue behind him. — Joey Villar