Abando thanks UST fans, Rondina for support amid recruitment controversy

UST rising star Rhenz Abando. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO CITY—All’s well that ends well for Rhenz Abando and University of Santo Tomas.

Abando was back on the floor for the Growling Tigers after missing one game in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament and the athletic forward said that the love he’s gotten from the UST community remains the same.

“I’ve always felt their support since the beginning and it was the same today,” said Abando in Filipino after UST’s 88-76 win over National University Saturday at Ynares Center here.

“Although I know that there are always the side comments from what happened, but my teammates are there to support me.”

Abando was recently embroiled in controversy after several attempts to recruit him, as early as his residency days, by another UAAP school were reportedly uncovered.

Things came to head when Abando was benched in UST’s 84-78 win over University of the Philippines last Wednesday, further fueling speculations.

But Abando maintained that he would complete his four-year stay with UST after the support he got from the community and volleyball superstar Cherry Rondina.

Abando said that Rondina, the Season 81 women’s volleyball MVP, reached out to him during the controversy.

“I thank Sisi a lot because she’s supporting us and after talking to her I realized that I should love UST more,” said Abando who had nine points and five rebounds in his return.

“There’s a boost of energy coming from them. And it’s in UST where I will finish my collegiate career.”