UAAP: NU’s Gelo Santiago suspended for five games after DQ foul vs Ateneo's Espina

Gelo Santiago of National University has been handed a five-game suspension following a disqualifying foul he committed in the Bulldogs’ 66–50 victory over Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday.

“Santiago was called for a foul (flagrant 2) early in the third period after an extra motion toward the head of Waki Espina while the latter was on the floor,” the UAAP Basketball Commissioner’s Office said in a statement on Monday.

“At the 8:50 mark of the fourth quarter, both Santiago and Ateneo’s Waki Espina fell to the court after a rebound play. Santiago struck Espina on the back of the head with his right forearm while Espina was in a prone position, which resulted in his disqualification.”

The Commissioner’s Office described Santiago’s actions as “unsportsmanlike and considered the act dangerous.”

Santiago will begin serving his suspension on November 2, which will cause him to miss the entire second round of the season.

According to the league, NU may still appeal the decision.

In a report, Santiago expressed his apologies to both Espina and Ateneo for the incident.

Previously, the Commissioner’s Office also imposed a three-game suspension on Wello Lingolingo of the University of the East for his involvement in an earlier incident with Kean Baclaan during the UE–La Salle game.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News