Filipina basketball player Vanessa De Jesus is more than excited after being recruited to play for college for the women’s basketball team of Duke University later this year.
De Jesus, whose mother Maria is a native of Boracay, said she did not think twice of accepting the offer of Duke University as it is known for good basketball program and academics.
“I was so happy because all my hard work paid off a little bit. Being able to represent Filipinos in California, it’s just a huge honor,” the 18-year-old De Jesus said in a virtual press conference.
“I also received offers from Ivy League schools, but I wanted to go to a school that also has a good basketball program,” added De Jesus, who normed 5.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in her senior year with Sierra Canyon.
The 5-foot-8 De Jesus also expressed her desire to play for the national women’s basketball team but could only do so as a naturalized player in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments since she was not able to attain a Filipino passport before she turned 16.
De Jesus, however, can don the Filipino colors as a Filipina player in Southeast Asian Games, William Jones Cup, and FIBA 3×3 women’s basketball tournaments, where the FIBA requirement is not applied.
“Maganda ang opportunity for her to represent us in international tournaments,” said Gilas Pilipinas women head coach Patrick Aquino. “She’s very much welcome in the Gilas women’s team.”
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Aldin Ayo’s absolution from any violation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ health protocols is a big step on his appeal for the lifting of the indefinite ban slapped on him by the UAAP Board.
After a thorough investigation, the Sorsogon City Philippine National Police (PNP) absolved Ayo of any criminal and administrative liabilities stemming from the controversial “Bicol bubble.”
The Sorsogon PNP memorandum dated September 23 was also certified by Sorsogon City governor Chiz Escudero on September 28.
“Malaking hakbang ito sa planong apila ni coach,” a source told the Buzzer Beater on condition of anonymity. “Although ang focus ni coach sa ngayon ay mailinaw ang lahat ng akusasyon sa kanya.”
The source added that for Ayo’s appeal to the UAAP Board to move, it needs support from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), which is said to be iffy as of press time.
Ayo resigned from his post as UST head coach on September 4. Days after, he was slapped with an indefinite suspension by the UAAP Board./PN
