The UAAP has denied the appeal of the UST Growling Tigresses regarding the suspension of head coach Haydee Ong.
The UST Growling Tigresses will be without head coach Haydee Ong as they gun for their 12th win of the season against two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, November 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST, undefeated in their first 11 assignments, are bucking a one-game suspension handed down on Ong for two unsportsmanlike fouls in two separate games this season.
The Growling Tigresses appealed the decision, but also announced on Friday that their request has since been denied. This will mark the first time that Ong will be suspended in the three decades of her coaching career.
On social media, the Growling Tigresses released a statement.
“Despite the denial of our appeal regarding Coach Haydee Ong’s one-game suspension, the first in her 30 years of dedicated coaching, the UST Growling Tigresses remain unfazed,” the statement said.
While we stand firm in our belief that the ruling stemming from two technical fouls in separate games is a tough pill to swallow, we choose to channel this moment into fuel,” they added.
The Growling Tigresses are seeking an outright finals berth should they go undefeated throughout the 14 games in elimination. Facing one of their tougher challenges this year, the Espa
ña players will lean on Ong’s coaching staff.
Ged Austria will likely be the head deputy taking over in Ong’s absence.
“Let this challenge strengthen our resolve. The Tigresses will rise,” they said.
Ong is the second coach this season which was handed a suspension with UE men’s basketball coach Chris Gavina missing four games for the Red Warriors.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.