Eyes were dry at the last goodbye during Ateneo de Manila University’s thanksgiving mass for its men’s basketball team, Saturday night at the Church of the Gesu.
After the mass, the graduating players said their goodbyes to the school.
Jolo Mendoza started things off, while Raffy Verano followed suit. Up next were PBA draftees Tyler Tio before Gian Mamuyac closed out the program.
Not going up to the podium was BJ Andrade.
And it’s because the cousin of Dave Ildefonso will have one final run with the Blue Eagles.
“Siguro para sa akin, nag-stay ako para makabawi,” said Andrade to ABS-CBN News’ Camille Naredo. “Feeling ko hindi makatarungan na aalis ako ng walang championship.
“Hopefully, makabawi tayo next season. Mahal ko talaga yung Ateneo community kaya ako nag-stay.”
Andrade initially applied for the 2022 PBA Rookie Draft but backed out on Friday.
The 2020 All-PCCL team member averaged 5.57 points, 1.93 rebounds, and 1.5 assists during the elimination round.
Mendoza is said to be playing for an MPBL team, while Verano is entertaining offers overseas.
