Bonleon holds off transfer to Arellano, stays with UST for academics

UST’s Mario Bonleon. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Beleaguered swingman Mario Bonleon of University of Santo Tomas held off his transfer to Arellano University after former Growling Tigers persuaded him to stay in España.

In a message to INQUIRER.net, Bonleon said he will forego his status as a student-athlete but he will still enroll with UST for the 2017-2018 academic year.

“I won’t play, I’ll just stick to being a student,” said Bonleon, who almost had his brother Mario Emmanuel join him in Arellano, in Filipino.

“The people at the alumni office will be the ones who will take care of the schooling of my brother and me.”

Bonleon was adamant he will not play for UST if head coach Boy Sablan remains in charge of the team.

And now that he’s back in UST, Bonleon said he still won’t suit up for the Tigers.

“I almost gave up my academics last year because I really want to play,” said Bonleon, who accused Sablan of favoritism among his players.