Rey Remogat’s hot shooting night for University of the Philippines ended abruptly after being whistled for a flagrant foul penalty two during a UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament clash on Wednesday.
In the dying seconds of the Fighting Maroons’ 83-69 win over Ateneo, Remogat was ejected for a hard foul on Ateneo swingman Ian Espinosa during a fast-break play.
The former University of the East guard, though, said there wasn’t any malice in his attempt to stop a runaway bucket.
‘I just wanted the play to stop for a dead ball because I thought they weren’t going to shoot. I just really went for the ball,’ he explained at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Before getting thrown out, Remogat was balling out with 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Based on UAAP house rules, Remogat would automatically be dealt a suspension and a disqualification from winning any awards.
But with new rules introduced this season, all unsportsmanlike fouls now reviewable by the league board, giving Remogat a chance to appeal.
Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin also came to Remogat’s defense and shrugged the foul off as just another ‘tough and physical’ play.
‘UP is tough and physical, they have been since Goldwin (Monteverde) has been there. Nobody in our dugout is crying about that,’ the veteran tactician said.
‘I didn’t watch the replay but I believe Rey. I believe it was a hard foul with purpose to stop the fast break but I seriously doubt that there was malice,’ he added.