Expect a more straightforward approach on the suspension rule for the coming UAAP Season 88 basketball tournaments, commissioner Jai Reyes announced recently.

Reyes said they would streamline the process with a new committee acting up on incidents that require immediate attention.

“For player suspensions, last year technical and unsportsmanlike fouls were accumulated toward suspension. This year, we are simplifying the process,” said Reyes.

“Technical and unsportsmanlike fouls will not be counted toward suspension unless we issue a formal memo to all schools,” he added. “Once we determine that a play is not in the spirit of basketball, is harmful, or unsportsmanlike, that is when we will issue a memo specifying that such fouls will accumulate toward suspension.”

Suspension had played a crucial role from the past years in the collegiate league with the most recent being with Forthsky Padrigao of University of Santo Tomas.

Padrigao will serve a one-game suspension in UST’s opening game against reigning champion University of the Philippines this Sunday, Sept. 21.

The UAAP also worked with its officials and team coaches by holding a meeting last week in order to build a better relationship between the two sides ahead of the basketball opener this weekend.

“Alignment and consistency between refs and coaches. There will be mistakes, but the most important point is that we are coming from an aligned perspective,” he continued.

The referees had a workshop on the following day to align themselves on officiating standards.

“The goal is long-term development, like what we do for players, follow the standards of top leagues globally, and ensure the best officiating possible for the UAAP,” he concluded. “Hopefully, this program will also develop future FIBA referees.”