UAAP: It was Mikee Reyes’ decision to leave UP, says coach

UP Maroons Head Coach Ricky Dandan. Noy Morcoso lll/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — “No one is above the team.”

That was University of the Philippines coach Ricky Dandan’s reminder to his team after point guard Mikee Reyes decided to leave the Fighting Maroons after just one game into the 76th UAAP Season.

“That was Mikee’s decision,” said Dandan. “We accept that and the team is moving on.”

“I did not expect that of course but that’s his decision. I won’t tell him to go back or to change his decision. ‘Yun ang decision niya so we’re all moving on,” Dandan reiterated Wednesday after the Fighting Maroons lost to De La Salle, 84-96.

Dandan, who is in his third year as UP’s head coach, added that “personally” he doesn’t have anything against the fourth-year guard Reyes but “I don’t know about him.”

Reyes hinted about his status with the team on his Twitter account late Tuesday night.

“Well, that was a quick season. If you’re not needed anymore, accept and move on. Goodluck to the UP Fighting Maroons! #UPFight,” said Reyes (@7mikee), who scored four points on one-of-six shooting from the field to go along with two rebounds and six assists in 19 minutes of play in UP’s 67-79 defeat at the hands of Adamson last Sunday.

“He is entitled to his opinion,” said Dandan on Reyes’ tweet.

“I can tell you this, no one is above the team. I have the whole team to think about. Our attitude together is we’re moving on.”