By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
With the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ UAAP fate uncertain, veteran guard Brent Paraiso made a decision to save his basketball career.
One of UST head coach Aldin Ayo’s most loyal wards, Paraiso shockingly announced he will be leaving UST, and in effect, will invalidate his final collegiate playing year.
Under the UAAP rule which states that a transferee should serve one-year residency, departing UST means Paraiso can no longer play college hoops.
With no decision yet about UST’s practice bubble incident in Sorsogon where they violated government quarantine rules, Paraiso bared the reason why he left.
“Pag nag-stay ako at na-suspend ang UST, sayang ang last playing year ko. Kung di na-suspend, mas okay. Pero wala namang kasiguraduhan,” Paraiso told The Varsitarian.
Paraiso suddenly dropped all of his remaining subjects in UST and confirmed that he will no longer finish the semester. Paraiso, however, did not state whether he will transfer to another UAAP school or will turn pro or amateur.
“Hindi naman basta-basta yung pag-iwan ko sa UST. Sinugal ko na lang mag-drop ng subjects kasi siyempre, need ko isipin ‘yung career ko,” Paraiso added.
Up to this date, the Growling Tigers, the whole UST community, and coach Ayo is still waiting for the final decision regarding their illegal quarantine training.
