On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the league slapped Vallena a P10,000 fine and suspended him for two games for “unsportsmanlike behavior” in an opening-day game of the Cesafi last October 15. He was also ordered to render four hours of community service.
“Unfair lang jud ang decision. Mao ra gyud na akong ikasulti. Unfair kay mura ug wala gi imbestigahan,” said Vallena, who was advised by CIT-U’s legal counsel and the university’s top brass to refrain from saying more about what happened as they are now appealing the decision to the Cesafi board. Vallena was penalized for allegedly challenging University of San Jose-Recoletos head coach Edito Salacut to a fist fight in their game at the Cebu Coliseum, which the Jaguars won, 83-66.“Being a coach, akong protektahan akong player nga gi consider nako nga anak. Pero dili nako mosulti pa ug daghan kay ni appeal nami sa Cesafi ug naghuwat mi sa ilang reply,” said Vallena.
“Nipagawas na ug statement among president ug gi advisan ko nga dili na mo comment. Maghuwat na lang mi sa reply sa Cesafi. Anha nako mo sulti sa akong side. Dili nako supakon ang gi advise sa CIT-U community,” he added. Vallena hopes to get back to the coaching seat as he tries to help the Wildcats end a slump. CIT-U lost anew on Tuesday night, October 18, to the mighty University of the Visayas Green Lancers, 87-61.