UE coach Chris Gavina will begin serving his suspension on Sunday, when the Red Warriors face the FEU Tamaraws. The penalty handed out by the UAAP will also cover the team’s first three games of the second round.
The UAAP has handed UE coach Chris Gavina a four-game suspension following his expletive-filled tirade over officiating in the aftermath of the Red Warriors’ 111-110 overtime loss to the DLSU Green Archers.
After the Commissioner's Office initially gave Gavina a stern warning and directed him to provide an explanation for his actions, the UAAP Board of Managing Directors decided to impose a heavier penalty on the first-year coach.
[ALSO READ: UAAP issues stern warning, directs UE's Chris Gavina to explain rant vs officiating]
In a statement released Saturday, October 18, the UAAP said Gavina used “profanity-laced” remarks and displayed “unprofessional behavior” toward game officials.
“As a teacher and leader, a coach sets a high standard for the student-athletes and the university community,” the UAAP said.
Gavina will begin serving his suspension on Sunday, October 19, when UE faces the FEU Tamaraws, and it will extend through the team’s first three games of the second round.
His player in Wello Lingolingo was earlier handed a three-game suspension for an unsportsmanlike foul on La Salle’s Kean Baclaan.
This prompted Gavina's rant in the press conference.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: UE’s Wello Lingolingo slapped with 3-game suspension on foul vs DLSU’s Kean Baclaan]
Earlier, the 46-year-old coach apologized for his actions in an interview with former PBA commissioner Noli Eala on Power & Play.
[ALSO READ: UE’s Chris Gavina ‘extremely apologetic’ after tirade vs UAAP officiating]
“UE took the initiative already of having my evaluation over my actions and obviously, you know, I'm extremely apologetic of how it occurred. I know I'm in a high position of influence and also setting an example,” Gavina said.
The Commissioner's Office warned on Friday that any further disrespect towards referees will warrant a sanction.
The Red Warriors remain the only winless team this season at 0-6, as they continue their search for a breakthrough against the Tamaraws.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues