Fifth-placed Letran given free pass to Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Cup quarterfinals
Following a string of injuries that reduced their active roster, Ateneo de Manila announced their team’s complete pull-out from all collegiate summer leagues following their victory over archrivals De La Salle University on Saturday.
Having their lineup severely cut down for their final elimination round game, athletic director Ricky Palou stated: “The coaching staff feels that if we continue to play with ten players in a game, it would lead to more injuries. We decided not to continue with the (Filoil Flying V Pre-Season tournament).”
Among those hit with the injury bug are Gideon Babilonia (shoulder), Gwynne Capacio (hamstring), Von Pessumal (hand), JP Erram (MCL), and Kris Porter (knee, out for season). A number of active players on the roster, including Frank Golla and Nico Elorde, are playing through an assortment of minor ailments that put them out of top form.
Not only does this pullout affect their Premier Cup campaign, but also ended their stint in the Fr. Martin’s Cup, another collegiate summer league held in preparation for the upcoming collegiate hoop wars later this month.
The tournament organizers, on the other hand, accepts the pullout by the Katipunan Avenue-based cagers.
“They have valid reasons and we understand,” said chairman Boysie Henares of Filoil Flying V Sports. “We have talked to the tournament organizers and they have accepted (Ateneo’s pullout).”
With the pullout of the Blue Eagles already in effect, the seedings in Group B have been adjusted to allow for a full slate of quarterfinals matchups that start on Monday.
University of the East assumes the #1 seed and will face Group B’s fourth-seeded Adamson University. De La Salle University, who dropped to third place following two setbacks in their last three games, moves up to second place and will tackle three-time defending NCAA seniors titlists San Beda College.
Meanwhile, defending Premier Cup champions National University will stake their current unbeaten run against Letran College, who gained a free pass to the quarterfinals as a beneficiary of Ateneo’s pullout. National champions University of Santo Tomas will have an uphill climb against a gritty Group A second-seed Arellano University.
