Gab Gomez announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and bid farewell to Ateneo de Manila University in a heartfelt social media post on Monday evening.
The 24-year-old, with one more year of eligibility remaining, expressed bittersweet emotions as he reflected on his four-year journey with the Blue Eagles.
Gomez, a 6-foot guard hailing from Nasugbu, Batangas, rose to prominence after catching Ateneo’s attention during the 2019 Chooks-to-Go NBTC National Finals while playing for Italy Europe Proudly Pinoy.
His dream of playing basketball in the Philippines materialized in 2020 when Ateneo recruited him.
In his statement, Gomez acknowledged that his time with Ateneo didn’t conclude as expected but emphasized the blessings he experienced as a part of something special.
“As I write this message, I find myself with bittersweet emotions. It hurts to let you know that my journey as a Blue Eagle ends, and I will be moving forward with my basketball journey.
“Though my time in Ateneo did not end as I expected, I still see it as a blessing that I was a part of something special. It was still a dream come true. I won’t stop supporting the school, the program, and my brothers. I’m confident that the team will continue to have success, and I’m already excited to cheer for them. Thank you for everything, Ateneo,” he said.
Having won a championship with the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 85, Gomez cherished the invaluable experiences and lessons learned during his rollercoaster journey.
Beyond the court, he emphasized the brotherhood formed and the personal growth achieved, crediting the institution for shaping him into a better man.
Entering Ateneo as a masters-degree student-athlete with a Tourism degree from ITET Aldo Capitini in Perugia, Gomez expressed gratitude to Coach Tab Baldwin, Boss Q (Epok Quimpo), and the entire coaching staff for their support and guidance.
Despite a drop in playing time during his third year, he thanked them for seeing potential in him during a challenging period of his life.
“I want to thank Coach Tab (Baldwin) and Boss Q (Epok Quimpo) for seeing something in me, recruiting me during the hardest period of my life, and giving me hope. Coach Tab, it was an honor to learn the game of basketball from you. But most importantly, thank you for being a father figure; you have no idea how much you saved me. I owe a lot to the entire coaching staff for trusting in me, pushing me every time, and guiding me until the very end. To the management – Boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), Tita Debbie (Tan), Tita Mita, and Father Nemi (Que), thank you for taking care of me and helping me in any way you could,” he said.
“To my teammates, it was a pleasure playing alongside all of you. Thank you for welcoming me, for all the memories, the joys, and tears, but especially for treating me like a brother. To the Ateneo community, especially the alumni, thank you for the overwhelming support. It truly meant a lot. To the loyal Blue and White supporters, the energy and spirit that you bring during the games make a difference. Thank you for embodying the spirit of win or lose.”
As Gomez turns the page to a new chapter in his basketball journey, Ateneo fans and the entire community will undoubtedly remember him for his contributions on and off the court, wishing him the best in his future endeavors.
Also leaving Ateneo during the off-season were Jason Credo, Kai Ballungay, and Jared Brown.
