Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Aquino remains hopeful that UAAP reverses decision


19-year-old Matthew Aquino made his debut with the National University Bulldogs despite the UAAP’s ruling that he was ineligible for this season.

The 6’9″ stretch big man was seen warming up two hours prior to the Bulldogs’ tilt against the De La Salle University Green Archers Sunday afternoon. According to the former Adamson Soaring Falcon, he had no idea that he will be used by the Bulldogs during the game.

“Mixed emotions lang talaga. Ang alam ko di ako makakalaro. Nagulat ako nung binunot ako ni coach Eric [Altamirano],” Aquino shared after the Bulldogs fell to the Green Archers, 66-75. “Unprepared talaga ako. So praise God!”

Moreover, he did not know that a temporary restraining order had been granted by the courts regarding his case that allowed him to play in the game.

“Wala talaga akong alam. Yung management and si dad [Marlou Aquino] lang ang nag-uusap, nag-reready lang talaga ako,” Aquino, who played 14 minutes in the game, remarked about the TRO.

“Management na yun, di ko alam kung paano ako nakalaro.”

Aquino was emotional when he reflected about the time when the UAAP board had ruled that he was ineligible.

“Sobrang depressed ako kasi nalaman ko lang na baka di ako makalaro nung opening. Tapos nung Saturday before the Ateneo game, sinabi na hindi ako makakalaro,” he reflected.

“Depressed talaga ako kasi pinaghandaan ko talaga, nagresidency ako ng one year tapos biglang ganun, di pala ako makakalaro.”

The second-generation center remains hopeful that the decision of the UAAP will be reversed, as he feels that he has accomplished his residency requirements.

#ReadMore  UE blows out Ateneo, clinches Final Four spot

“Sana talaga kasi gusto ko matulungan yung team e. Kailangan ko matulungan si Alfred [Aroga],” he closed.

“Sana ma-reverse yung decision nila. Nagulat lang din talaga ako na sabi nila ineligible ako.”.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

University of the Philippines pulled off a strong fourth-quarter surge to defeat National University, 85–73, in the Balangay Festival 2025 Invitational Game on Sunday...

AdU

National University made the most of its twice-to-beat advantage, eliminating Adamson University, 68-60, to book the first finals ticket in the inaugural University Belt...

Basketball

Ateneo de Manila University will once again host archrival De La Salle University on its home floor, as the two squads collide in the...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University will not be participating in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, which tips off on May 18 at the Filoil...

3x3 Basketball

Two-time defending UAAP Men’s 3×3 Basketball champion De La Salle University kept its title-retention hopes alive after dispatching last season’s final opponent University of...

3x3 Basketball

National University leaned on the brilliance of Jake Figueroa to outlast Far Eastern University, 21-17, and clinch the top seed in the UAAP Season...

3x3 Basketball

NATIONAL University’s men’s basketball team and the women’s squads of University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines punched their tickets to the...

3x3 Basketball

NBA legends’ namesakes Steve Nash Enriquez and Ray Allen Torres led National University and Adamson University to perfect starts in the UAAP Season 87...

Advertisement