Mixed emotions as Mario Bonleon bids UST farewell

Embons Bonleon is leaving University of Santo Tomas with mixed emotions.

Bonleon had a rollercoaster stay with the Tigers, experiencing the Finals in his rookie year in 2015 before witnessing the team’s sudden crash to the bottom at 1-13 just the year after.

He left the team and sat out season 80 after a falling out with then-coach Boy Sablan but decided to return under Aldin Ayo in his final year in the UAAP, which still had its disappointments.

READ: Bonleon, Subido announce return to UST after Sablan exit 

“This has to be the low point of my basketball career because I was injured the whole preseason and it was just in September that I was able to return,” said Bonleon in Filipino after UST’s 102-62 loss to Ateneo, his final game in the UAAP, Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Bonleon admitted that he wasn’t on top condition for the Tigers in Season 81, where the Tigers finished sixth and missed the Final Four for the third straight year, after he injured his right shoulder in the preseason.

It may not have been a largely successful collegiate career for Bonleon, who transfered to UST from University of the East, he still is leaving behind memories with people that helped him become who he is.

“Make no mistake, I’m happy that I’m leaving but I’m also sad because I had so many friends and these are people who truly support me,” said Bonleon.

“I’ll miss this team because in all of my teams this is the one that I made friends with all of my teammates and coaches. Bong Lozada