The said development was shared through the official Facebook page of the UAAP as Santiago was heard instructing his players to deliberately harm Rivero in the second quarter.

As a consequence, it was originally set for coach Santiago to miss three games of the Red Warriors, but he appealed to lessen the punishment to which the league agreed to trim it down from three to two games. 

Still, Season 84 basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante bared that “violence is never an option,” 

“Let this serve as a lesson to the entire UAAP community as well,” he added. 

UAAP will also set a meeting in the commissioner’s office at 3 p.m. on Tuesday with UE stalwart Harvey Pagsanjan for his unsportsmanlike foul on UP’s Zavier Lucero in the second quarter. 

One of the three unnamed referees during the match was also reprimanded for one game-play because even after hearing coach Santiago’s instruction, the referee failed to ensure the safety of the athletes and the fairness of the game. 

The UAAP community shall expect that Santiago will not be present on Thursday as the Red Warriors will face Adamson University.