UAAP: Topex Robinson hopes league reconsiders Wello Lingolingo's 3-game suspension

De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson hopes the UAAP reconsiders its decision on the suspension of Wello Lingolingo.

Lingolingo was handed a three-game suspension following an unsportsmanlike foul on Kean Baclaan, which resulted in Baclaan being stretchered off the court during the UE vs. La Salle matchup last Wednesday. 

The UE star was eventually ejected from the game, having also received a technical foul earlier in the said match. Baclaan, meanwhile, was ruled out of the season due to the knee injury.

In his post-game interview Sunday after La Salle's 72-69 win against University of the Philippines, Robinson shared that he and Baclaan had discussed the incident involving Lingolingo.

“I also just want to talk about this. I know it’s already late, with regards to what happened. Me and Kean had a talk yesterday. He felt sorry that Wello had to lose three games. And the coach and competitor in me obviously [believes] he deserves to get suspended,” Robinson said.

“But the father in me is pardoning the committee to kind of lower the [number of suspension] games. He’s not really a bad player. Those opportunities or those accidents really happen. I hope he’s given a chance to return early [from suspension] cause three games are gonna be huge for him. I’m not talking about UE as a team but Wello as a person. He’s a nice kid. I know he made this mistake, but I hope the suspension can be lessened. I know how hard it’s going to be for him.

“We already lost our players, we don’t want to lose other players from other teams. I hope at least he’ll be given a fair share of suspension.”

Baclaan previously shared that Lingolingo had apologized to him for the incident and even appealed to fans not to bash the UE player. Lingolingo also issued a public apology following the game.

In addition to Lingolingo’s suspension, UE head coach Chris Gavina received a four-game ban beginning Sunday. The UAAP Board of Managing Directors deemed his profanity-laced comments regarding Lingolingo’s ejection “unprofessional conduct toward game officials.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News