Injured Van Opstal forgoes final year in UAAP, eyes PBA stint

Screengrab from Arnold Van Opstal’s Instagram account.

De La Salle University’s Arnold Van Opstal will forego his final playing year in the UAAP.

The Filipino-German center on Wednesday announced his decision on his Instagram account accompanied by a photo of him and teammate Jason Perkins celebrating the Green Archers’ championship in Season 76.

“It pains me to announce that after 4 of the best years of my life, my career in La Salle is coming to an end,” Van Opstal wrote.

Van Opstal said an Achilles injury forced him to sit out his last year.

“I am sitting out for the season for the benefit of my basketball career, as I have been suffering from an ongoing Achilles injury, which has never had the time to fully heal.”

The 6-foot-9 Van Opstal also vowed to be better than ever and with his collegiate career done, he now has his sights set on playing professionally.

“I hope that you all will continue to support me, as I am DETERMINED to come back stronger, faster and better to tackle my next frontier, the PBA,” his post read. “This is not the end but only the beginning.”

Entering the PBA Draft, which is slated next month, looms as an option for Van Opstal where he will be joining fellow Green Archers Norbert Torres and Almond Vosotros – beefing up an already solid class headlined by Fil-Tongan Moala Tautuaa and National University star Troy Rosario.

Van Opstal, who averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds last season, also took the time to look back on the many years he spent wearing La Salle’s colors.

“It’s impossible to put into words how much this team means to me and how transformative this experience has been,” he said. “From La Salle Zobel to DLSU, I was raised green and will forever be grateful. No one can ever take away the moments we shared as one family, one Animo, one La Salle.” CFC