By MARK REY MONTEJO
La Salle will be missing EJ Gollena when the Archers rekindle their rivalry with the Ateneo Blue Eagles after the heady guard was handed a one-game suspension by the University of Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Monday, Nov. 24.
The sad news came after the 22-year-old Gollena threw a closed-fist on the upper right stomach of University of the Philippines center Francis Nnoruka in the opening frame of the Green Archers’ 87-82 win over reigning champions last weekend.
There, Gollena was called for a disqualifying foul, while Nnoruka was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul with 6.6 seconds left in the opening canto.
It would be a major setback for La Salle (7-6) as it takes on Ateneo (6-7) this Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the archrivals still battling for the last Final Four spot.
This would be the second time a player from La Salle has been suspended, following Vhoris Marasigan who had received the similar punishment after he hit National University big man Omar John’s abdomen with his left fist earlier this month.
With Gollena’s absence, Gillian Quinez, Marasigan, Earl Abadam, JC Macalalag, and Jacob Cortez must double their efforts.
