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Renzo Subido will no longer suit up for Marinerong Pilipino for the remainder of the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
Head coach Koy Banal bared the development as the Skippers are losing a key cog ahead of their crucial Game 2 semifinals duel against Zark’s Burger-Lyceum on Thursday due to the decision of University of Santo Tomas to pull Subido out from the team.
“For one reason or another, Renzo Subido took a leave from the UST team last year. He was playing in what may be considered a minor team in the PBA D-League when Marinerong Pilipino took him in, gave him high caliber training, and made him their starting point guard,” the statement read from he management read. “He was one of the sparks for the Marinero’s strong showing in the D-League’s current season which brought them to the semifinal round. But with two weeks to go before the end of the season, UST abruptly decided to stop Subido from further playing for Marinero.”
Subido sat out UAAP Season 80 for the Growling Tigers as he opted to personally hone his craft before finding his way to Marinerong Pilipino in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, where he emerged as a solid playmaker for the upstart squad.
But that partnership came to a screeching halt, with the Marinerong Pilipino management crying foul on what it felt was an unfair judgment on the part of the university to prohibit the 22-year-old from finishing the conference.
“Is this right? Is it fair? The UAAP tournament is still many months away. No need to fear Subido will not be ready for it. Meanwhile, Marinero has a strong chance at the championship. If Subido continues to play with the team, UST will be getting back a highly improved and skilled player. If anything, Subido would have been sharpened and more seasoned in the game because of Marinero,” the statement added.
Subido has been averaging 10.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18 minutes of play in the tournament while helping Marinerong Pilipino finish as the second seed and reach the semifinals for the second straight conference.
“UST’s decision is baffling. Why pull the plug now? Why didn’t they stop Subido from joining the Marinero lineup before the tournament to be fair to the team?”
Subido’s absence will be a big blow for Marinerong Pilipino, which is trailing 0-1 in its best-of-three semifinals series against Zark’s Burger-Lyceum.
The Skippers will have to bank on guards Rian Ayonayon, Billy Robles, and playing-assistant coach Denok Miranda on Thursday to force a winner-take-all Game 3.