La Salle big man Arnold Van Opstal has opted to forego his final year of eligibility in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament in a bid to prep for the pros.
Van Opstal made the announcement Wednesday, noting he needed time to recuperate from a foot injury before jumping into the PBA.
“I am sitting out the coming 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,” Van Opstal posted on his Instagram account.
The 6-foot-9 Van Opstal, who played a pivotal role in the Green Archers’ UAAP championship romp in 2013, said he’s “determined to come back stronger, faster and better to tackle my next frontier, the PBA.”
The Archers, who already lost several players for various reasons the past months, have started gearing up for the UAAP season set to fire off on Sept. 5.
“It’s impossible to put into words how much this team means to me and how transformative this experience has been,” said Van Opstal.
The PBA Draft is set in August with the pro league season starting in October.
Aside from Van Opstal, the Archers will have to do without guards Kib Montalbo, Robert Bolick and Terrence Mustre on top of the graduation of Almond Vosotros and center Norbert Torres.
Montalbo sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury last summer, while Bolick transferred to San Beda and Mustre to Adamson.
Prized Cameroonian recruit Ben Mbala may also not debut for the Archers this season after seeing action in a provincial tournament, a violation of the league’s residency rule that may result to a one-year suspension.
But star Jeron Teng remains at the helm and standout rookies Andrei Caracut and Jollo Go are expected to give the Archers a lift.