Suspended Lady Warriors coach wants side heard as UE appeals UAAP decision

MANILA, Philippines — UE Lady Warriors head coach Jerry Yee is looking to have his voice heard when he formally files for appeal following the UAAP board’s decision to suspend him for the rest of UAAP Season 86 due to allegations of “committing acts that are inconsistent with the purposes of the association.”

The UAAP announced his suspension at noon Sunday, just hours before the Lady Warriors faced off with the Adamson Lady Falcons.

Yee, who met with members of the press outside of the playing venue, said that UE plans to formalize the appeal immediately on Monday, since the decision was given Friday afternoon – giving no time for Yee and his representatives to appeal right then.

“I found out Friday afternoon eh… Well basically patapos na yung araw, patapos na yung office, so, appeal would be made probably Monday. Coach [Rod] Roque mentioned [it] to me last time,” said Yee.

Assistant coach Obet Vital will be calling the shots in Yee’s absence.

Asked if he was optimistic in getting back into his position before the season ends, Yee said he was simply interested in airing his version of what happened.

“'Yun lang. Mapakinggan 'yung side namin because hindi namin alam kung anong naganap eh. So meron decision and merong mga, well, words or allegations. So if tatanungin ako, or if bibigyan ako ng audience, I think I can speak up,” he said.

The tactician also lamented the way things unfolded when it came to communicating the suspension, saying that there were no further explanations from the league directly to him.

“Wala. Communications were sent to the president and then the president would relay down to coach Roque and then si coach Roque lang magpapaliwanag sa akin,” said Yee of what transpired on Friday. 

“And 'di ako sure sa words [na ginamit] [or] sa kung ano man yung details,” he added.

As it stands, Yee isn’t allowed to be inside the playing venue when his Lady Warriors go into battle.

Currently, the Lady Warriors are 1-3  in UAAP Season 86.