UAAP upholds 2-game ban on UE’s Mammie

MANILA, Philippines - The UAAP’s technical committee on Friday upheld its earlier decision to suspend UE slotman Charles Mammie for two games for recently incurring his third unsportsmanlike foul of the league’s ongoing 76th season.

After meeting for about two hours at the Blue Eagle Gym at the Ateneo campus in Quezon City, members of the committee saw it as clear that Mammie “double-stepped’ on the landing spot of FEU’s Terrence Romeo during their recent game.

The Warriors earlier formally filed an appeal with the  committee, maintaining there was no intention to hurt on the part of the Mammie in the infraction that led to his suspension by commissioner Chito Loyzaga.

In contrast, the suspension of UE’s other player, Lord Casajeros, has been reduced to one game from the original two.

According to the committee, Casajeros’ ban was reduced because: (1) the first unsportsmanlike foul was called by the referee, but the “second unsportsmanlike” act was not clear on the video and it wasn’t called by the referees; and 2) he hasn’t been suspended before, so the appeal for the reduction was granted.

Rod Roque, the Warriors’ representative to the UAAP board, said they have received a faxed copy of the decision around 2 p.m. Friday., adding that he is awaiting the decision of the UE management if it would elevate the issue to the UAAP board.

Roque also said they accept the decision on Casajeros but would want a better verdict on Mammie’s case.

Mammie and Casajeros are key players in the rotation of UE, which is currently in fifth spot with a 5-4 win-loss card. The Warriors will try to get back on track against streaking National U (7-3) Saturday as the race for the Final Four heats up. – With report from Olmin Leyba