Badolato appeals to UAAP coaches to keep their emotions in check

University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball commissioner Ato Badolato has made an appeal to coach Norman Black of the Ateneo Blue Eagles and coach Pido Jarencio of the UST Growling Tigers to control their emotions during the remaining games of the ongoing Finals series of the 75th UAAP season. “I appeal not only to coaches, but to the fans, that we will be doing our utmost best to make it a trouble-free Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3,” said Badolato, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association's weekly forum, Tuesday. “I’m asking for your patience. We will not tolerate any lapses this time.” The legendary former head coach of the San Beda Red Cubs also defended his referees, saying, “It [game one] was a fairly officiated game. I have no complaints.” The Blue Eagles are a win away from completing their quest for five straight UAAP titles, following an 83-78 victory, Saturday. After that first game though, coach Jarencio lambasted the referees, accusing them of favoring Ateneo and their head coach. “The calls weren't fair,” said Jarencio in Filipino. “Do I need to talk in English in order to get a fair call? It’s up to them, I’m just saying the truth. We want consistency in the officiating. Let the players decide the outcome of the game.” As expected, Coach Black didn’t like Coach Jarencio’s statement. “We only had 12 free throw attempts and they [UST] had 26. My key players had four fouls in the final quarter,” Black said on Monday. “We were in the penalty with eight minutes to go.” “We won despite those numbers; the facts don’t back up what he’s saying right now. The part about speaking English and that I’m American, that’s why the referees are biased towards me, that’s uncalled for. It’s mean and totally unsportsmanlike.” Game two is set for Thursday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This is also Black's final year coaching in the UAAP. As soon as the season is over, he will move over to the PBA to take the reins of the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. - AMD, GMA News Inboundpass has been covering collegiate basketball for six years. For more NCAA stories and information, check out inboundpass.com and follow Inboundpass on Twitter at @inboundpass