Pumaren disappointed at Javier for "dumb foul" leading to ejection, suspension

Chris Javier is being escorted by a team staff after being sent out of the playing
court for a disqualifying foul on UP's Jerson Prado. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--With everything almost settled but the final score, UE's Chris Javier made a huge blunder when he hit the head of UP's Jerson Prado while going for a rebound in their match on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The referees sent Javier off the game because of the said call classified as a disqualifying foul.

Coach Derrick Pumaren told the press after the UP win that he got upset at Javier.

"I got mad at Chris. Why of all the people--he's the veteran, he's the senior--he made that dumb foul? The game is over. Why make that foul?" The veteran mentor said.

Pumaren also said that he reminded Javier of his role as the only legit big man in a small-ball squad with African reinforcement Bertrand Awana still undergoing residency.

"He knows that we don't have a big man. He's the only man in the middle, and then he does that. It's not playing smart," Pumaren described Javier's blatant late error.

UAAP house rules state that a player ejected from the game will automatically be meted with a one-game suspension, so Javier will miss the Red Warriors' next game against Alfred Aroga and the NU Bulldogs next Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the 6-5 center serving his ban against NU, Pumaren is aware that UE's mission has become tougher.

"It's gonna be a tall order, but we're just gonna play our game," he further said.