Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Louie Alas has been suspended for two games following multiple rule infractions and unsportsmanlike behavior during and after his team’s match against the University of the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
The UAAP Commissioner’s Office announced the suspension on Monday, November 9, following incidents at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Alas will sit out Ateneo’s upcoming games against Adamson University on Wednesday, November 11, and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Sunday, November 15.
The two-game penalty stems from two separate incidents. The first infraction combines a technical foul issued during the UP game—when Alas stepped onto the court to protest a non-call at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter—with a retroactively reviewed incident from an October 17 game against UST, where he attempted to distract and made contact with guard Amiel Acido.
The second game of the suspension resulted from Alas’ conduct during the final seconds and postgame handshake of Ateneo’s 82-74 loss to UP. With under a second remaining, Alas entered the court to confront and direct profanity at UP forward Jacob Bayla after a late dunk, a gesture he reportedly repeated during the handshake line.
The altercation also sparked a heated exchange with UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
According to the Commissioner’s Office, Alas’ actions heightened tensions and violated league memorandums reminding coaches to maintain sportsmanship and avoid player confrontations.
Ateneo retains the right to appeal the decision.