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MANILA, Philippines—With an ailing line-up barely a month before the UAAP, Ateneo has decided to pull out of all the summer leagues, the team announced on Saturday.
Down to 10 men in their 78-70 win over La Salle in the 2013 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, the Blue Eagles felt it was in their best interest to withdraw before the quarterfinals started.
“The coaching staff feels that if we continue to play with 10 players in a game, it can lead to more injuries,” said Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou.
Ateneo team manager Paolo Trillo said they had planned to pull-out even before the Blue Eagles-Green Archers match, but held off because arrangements in schedule have already been made.
The Blue Eagles have five guys who can’t suit up due to major injuries (G-Boy Babilonia, Poy Erram, Gwynne Capacio, Von Pessumal, Kris Porter) and others who are playing through pain.
“We’re disappointed, but the staff are worried with the health and safety of the players,” also said Palou in the statement to the reporters.
Ateneo is also pulling out of the Fr. Martin Summer Cup.
The league’s management has accepted the Blue Eagles’ withdrawal, but hopes it won’t set a precedent for other squads.
“They have valid reasons and we understand them. We discussed with the tournament companies that are involved in, and they accept,” said chairman Boysie Henares.
“Hopefully this does not happen again. It will also not look good.”
With Ateneo gone, University of the East gets the top spot in group B while Letran, initially eliminated at fifth place, gets the last berth.
The quarterfinals start on Monday with Arellano facing University of Santo Tomas at 2 p.m., University of the East versus Adamson at 4 p.m.
On Wednesday, defending champion National University clashes with Letran at 2 p.m. while La Salle tangles with San Beda at 4 p.m.