BACOLOD Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts cried foul after Negrense guard Harold Alarcon suited up for National University Bullpups in the FilOil Flying V Premier Cup.
Alarcon, a native of Silay City, Negros Occidental, has not yet been released by Tay Tung – his records remained with the school, and what he did was “illegal,” Thunderbolts head coach Dexter Dy said.
Alarcon, who was recently called up to play for the Batang Gilas Under-17 team, made his debut with Bullpups last week – he scored 12 points in their 92-61 win over Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.
“How can he play for National University if his academic records are still with Tay Tung?” Dy said. “Sa katunayan nga he has yet to complete his academic requirements so his records cannot be released.”
“The school officials felt disrespected,” Dy added. “He was allowed to go to Manila to join the Elite 60 Development Camp, then hindi na pala siya babalik.”
Jose Montalbo, Tay Tung’s vice president for sports, said in a separate interview the school felt betrayed – they only learned about Alarcon’s transfer via a phone call from his mother.
“Sa ngayon we consider him absent without leave,” Montalbo said. “Actually nagulat na lang kami noong may nakapagsabi na nasa NU na daw siya dahil wala talaga silang ipinaalam. Iyong mother niya lang nagsabi through a phone call na lilipat nga.”
Alarcon, who received numerous citations in his three years of stay at Tay Tung, refused to directly comment on the issue.
But he is thankful to Tay Tung for all the help the school gave in building his basketball career.
“I will leave that issue for NU and Tay Tung to settle na lang,” Alarcon told Panay News. “Sa ngayon I just want to focus on NU’s campaign in FilOil dahil nasa semis kami, and also on my Batang Gilas stint.”/PN
