By MARK REY MONTEJO
The timing was downright bad for University of Santo Tomas after big man Mo Tounkara was slapped by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) a one-game suspension after a taunting incident in their game against La Salle.
Tounkara, 21, was levied by the league due his double technical fouls which he obtained in the Growling Tigers’ 94-87 overtime loss to the Green Archers last Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Mall of Asia Arena.
He will have the suspension effective when UST (4-5) squares off with Ateneo (2-6) Saturday, Oct. 19.
The 6-foot-8 Tounkara will be out in the Growling Tigers’ lone game at their lair – the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion – which will host two more game days in the next few weeks.
The student-athlete from Mali got his first T at the 5:41 mark of the opening quarter where he got an and-1 play that saw him taunt La Salle’s Henry Agunnane.
Tounkara received his second technical with 3 minutes and 38 seconds left in the game after an unnecessary reaction towards DLSU’s Mike Phillips, who committed a traveling violation.
Tounkara’s childish action proved costly.
