By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense forward Reyland Torres of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons escaped suspension ahead of Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament finals against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers on Sunday, December 15.

The UAAP earlier announced that Torres was eligible to play in the winner-take-all match despite being ejected during the Fighting Maroons’ 76-75 defeat to the Green Archers in Game 2 on Wednesday, December 11.

Torres’ first unsportsmanlike foul, which occurred at the 5:33 mark of the third quarter against Green Archers’ EJ Gollena, was categorized as UF category 2 or excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.

On the other hand, the Negrense cagers’ second unsportsmanlike foul happened with 2:58 left in the game, when he attempted to stop a fast break of DLSU’s Cyrus Austria, categorized as UF category 4 or illegal contact caused by the player from behind or laterally on an opponent who is progressing toward the basket, with no other defenders between the player and the basket.

“Because of the nature of the second foul, Torres will be eligible to play in Game 3,” the UAAP said.

The league further said that Torres’ case was the same as Adamson University Falcons’ Jhon Calisay, who was ejected during an elimination round game but was allowed to play in the next game./ASC, WDJ