Besides Sean Manganti, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons will not have another steady presence for them come the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball tournament.
Jerie Pingoy announced on social media platform Instagram that he will forego playing his final year of eligibility, Wednesday afternoon.
“Adamson U, thank you for being with me during the short period of time,” the heartfelt post by the 5-foot-9 floor general read. “You never knew how grateful I am and to be once called a Soaring Falcon. I fell short but this is not the end.
“Thank you for giving me a second chance. Thank you klasmayts.”
Back in 2017, Pingoy could not meet the academic quota of Ateneo, resulting to his departure. Franz Pumaren quickly tapped him in September of that year.
In Adamson, he flourished during his first year, becoming the steals leader of the league back in UAAP Season 79.
In Season 80 however, the native of Cebu struggled to find his form, eventually losing minutes to rookie Jerom Lastimosa. Pingoy ended up averaging just 3.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.7 steals in what ended up being his final year.
The road though was not easy for the once-highly recruited prospect.
After a stellar campaign with the FEU Baby Tamaraws, Pingoy was recruited by Ateneo back in 2013. However, the UAAP board decided to extend the residency of student-athletes from a member high school moving to a rival college to two years.
Pingoy only made his UAAP debut in 2015, averaging 3.5 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in nine games played.
“To Ateneo de Manila, it has been a journey bring part of the Blue Eagles. I can’t thank Ateneo enough for giving me the chance to play again and show that I still have it,” shared Pingoy, who even joined the Blue Eagles’ training camps abroad even if he was in residency.
“Thank you for giving me a chance to play for your school. Thank you for a wonderful journey.”
Even if the road was tough, Pingoy remains grateful. And it will only help him be stronger in his next journey.
“I am so blessed to have experienced all of this. I will take this in my next journey.”
