(Photo from PBA D-League’s Facebook page)
The UST Growling Tigers’ Sorsogon training fallout led to the departure of most of the team’s core pieces, including former team captain CJ Cansino and rookie of the year Mark Nonoy.
But Bryan Santos, who recently transferred to UST due to the disbandment of his former collegiate team, has chosen to stay in the Tigers’ lair.
“Mas pinili ko pong mag stay kahit ganito yung sitwasyon ngayon kasi nagbigay po ako ng isang salita sa [UST] noong nag transfer ako,” he said.
“Pinanghahawakan ko po na kahit anong mangyari, hindi ko po sisirain ‘yun. Mas pinipili ko ang UST dahil alam ko, UST and daan papunta sa mga pangarap ko kahit pa may ibang mag ooffer sa akin,” he added.
Santos was no stranger to teams thinning out. He was a 16.3-points-per-game scorer for the TIP Engineers which had to be dissolved due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Had TIP not broken up its basketball program, Santos said he would have stayed.
And even though UST’s foundation was shattered to rubble, Santos remained thankful and true to his word of honor.
“Even if UST is facing a lot of issues right now, it doesn’t affect the trust I have with this institution. In my heart, I chose to go for it, trust the school and fulfill my promise to this school,” he said.
Of the UST’s UAAP Season 82 team, only most valuable player Soulemane Chabi-Yo, Dave Ando and Sherwin Concepcion have opted to stay.
The Tigers lost head coach Aldin Ayo, Cansino, Nonoy, Rhenz Abando, Jun Asuncion, Deo Cuajao, Brent Paraiso and Ira Bataller. Chris King dela Cruz