MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ build up for the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball action, which will open this Oct. 1, has suffered a huge blow.
Veterans Sherwin Concepcion and Bryan Santos will no longer be returning for their final year with UST after being ruled ineligible by the UAAP, UST IPEA heas Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP said.
“It was very unfortunate that Sherwin and Bryan were ruled out for UAAP Season 85 with just a few weeks before the start of the season,” Cansancio told Panay News on Tuesday.
“They are surely a big loss for us for the upcoming season but rest assured that the UST will continue to growl in each game and the remaining players will surely give their best. Laban lang,” he added.
Based on records, both Concepcion and Santos have already turned 25 even before the start of the collegiate league making their ineligible to return for one final year with the Tigers.
Concepcion and Santos both were bright spots for the Growling Tigers during the forgetful UAAP Season 84 where the rebuilding UST only won three out of its 14 matches.
The two graduating Thomasians also showed promise for the Growling Tigers in their pre-season tournaments, giving UST fans hopes of a competitive season until the unfortunate news came out on Monday night.
Prior to their exit, Concepcion and Santos have steered the Growling Tigers to the UAAP 3×3 men’s basketball championship along with Nicael Cabañero and Royce Mantua.
“Sherwin and Bryan were surely a big loss to us. This news is so sudden but the team promises to keep on fighting this upcoming UAAP Season,” Cabañero said.
Meanwhile, Negrense forward Aldave Canoy has also departed the Growling Tigers after just one season. He is reportedly to pursue a basketball career outside of UAAP./PN
