Frankie Lim leaves Altas: ‘Sports not priority now in Perpetual’

Former Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Frankie Lim’s tenure at University of Perpetual Help ended abruptly following the deactivation of the school’s athletic program amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four-time NCAA champion coach said his contract was suspended in July and the school has stopped giving him his salary since.

“They suspended my contract in July, so they stopped paying me,” said Lim in a text message to Inquirer Thursday. “Nothing is sure over there.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to face-to-face learning and Lim said it has greatly affected Perpetual’s enrolment numbers.

Perpetual suspended its athletic program in May forcing its student-athletes to go home and its coaches without pay.

“Sports is not a priority right now in Perps,” said Lim. “The school has a very low enrollment.”

Lim thus decided to leave the school amid the uncertainty that it is facing.

Lim was tasked to revitalize the Altas program after missing out in the Final Four in Season 93 of the NCAA with a paltry 4-14 record.

The Altas did get to the Final Four in Season 94 behind MVP Prince Eze and an 11-7 record but bombed in Season 95 with a 5-13 card.