Ateneo coach Louie Alas apologizes for UP game outburst

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Ateneo de Manila University head coach Louie Alas issued a public apology for his improper conduct during and after the Blue Eagles’ 82-74 loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 89 on Nov. 7, 2026.

In a statement posted on Ateneo’s official Facebook page on Nov. 10, Alas acknowledged that his actions toward UP forward Jacob Bayla were inappropriate, adding that he took full responsibility and accepted the consequences.

“I sincerely apologize for my behavior during and after our recent game against the University of the Philippines,” Alas wrote.

“I understand the disappointment my actions have caused, particularly among those who expect everyone representing Ateneo to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, respect, and self-discipline. These are expectations I share and deeply respect.”

Alas drew criticism after cursing at Bayla following the UP forward’s dunk in the final seconds of regulation.

Immediately after the dunk, Alas entered the court, pointed his finger at Bayla and was seen on national television shouting at the 20-year-old player.

Alas also had a heated verbal exchange with UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon during the postgame handshake, which the UAAP Basketball Commissioner’s Office determined had escalated tensions between the two schools.

The incident reignited debate over basketball’s “unwritten rule,” under which players are generally expected to avoid unnecessary scoring when a game’s outcome is already decided.

During the Ateneo-UP game, the Fighting Maroons held a six-point lead in the closing seconds before Bayla completed a fast-break dunk to seal their eight-point victory.

For Bayla, his decision to score was simply a response to the Blue Eagles’ late-game full-court defensive pressure despite UP already being poised to secure the win.

“I mean, they were pressing us, so my mind was just play to the final buzzer,” Bayla said.

As a result of his accumulated infractions and unsportsmanlike conduct, the UAAP handed Alas a two-game suspension, ruling him out of Ateneo’s games against Adamson University on Nov. 11 and the University of Santo Tomas on Nov. 15.

One game of the suspension stemmed from accumulated infractions during Ateneo’s Oct. 17 game against UST and its Nov. 7 encounter with UP, while the other was imposed for Alas’ conduct toward Bayla and Luanzon.

The latest penalty followed a previous one-game suspension imposed on Alas in October for earlier violations of UAAP rules.

“I have always coached with passion and dedication, but I recognize that these must be guided by humility, respect, and self-control,” Alas added.

“May we continue to stand together, united by the values we share and our commitment to the young men we are privileged to guide.”