The Marinerong Pilipino were left perplexed with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ decision to suddenly pull out guard Renzo Subido from the Skippers, which has definitely put in jeopardy the club team’s PBA D-League title hopes in the 2018 Aspirants’ Cup.
The diminutive point guard hasn’t been with the Skippers since their final game of the elimination round last April 3. Marinero played without him in the semifinals Tuesday versus the Zark’s-Lyceum Jawbreakers.
The Skippers lost in overtime, 87-90.
“UST’s decision is baffling,” said the Marinero management in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “Why pull the plug now?
“Why didn’t they stop Subido from joining the Marinero lineup before the tournament to be fair to the team?”
What irks the Marinero management is that they became the adoptive home of Subido during the time he took a leave of absence from the Growling Tigers, only for the latter to suddenly take him back.
“For one reason or another, Renzo Subido took a leave from the UST team last year and was playing in what may be considered a minor team in the PBA-D League when Marinerong Pinoy took him in,” the statement furthered. “[We] gave him high-caliber training, and made him their starting point guard. He was one of the sparks for the Marineros’ strong showing in the D-League’s current season which brought them to the semifinal round.
“But with two weeks to go before the end of the season, UST abruptly decided to stop Subido from further playing for Marinero. Is this right? Is it fair? The UAAP tournament is still many months away. No need to fear Subido will not be ready for it.”
Now, all that they hope is for the Growling Tigers to let Subido honor his commitment with the Skippers, promising the former that they will return Subido to the school as a more improved individual on and off the court.
“Marinero has a strong chance at the championship. If Subido continues to play with the team, UST will be getting back a highly improved, skilled player,” they said. “If anything, Subido will have been sharpened and more seasoned in the game because of Marinero.
“But with UST’s decision to inhibit Subido from playing in the remaining couple of weeks, the Marineros will be losing a mainstay of the team and possibly a chance at the trophy, not to mention the pride and joy felt by thousands of Filipino seafarers around the world who follow the exploits of their team.”
