After the lineup deliberation of the NCAA management committee for the upcoming Season 94 tournament, Rhayyan Amsali still played on Friday afternoon. Though it was awkward, the 17-year-old forward could not miss sharing the same court with his old teammates in Nazareth School of National University.
Just days before the game, Amsali could not secure his release from NU-NS, as he had failed one subject in Grade 10. He was declared ineligible to play for the Red Cubs yesterday.
Even if he will not make his debut this season, Amsali has already made his choice: he will stick with his new home.
“Kahit hindi ako maglalaro, andun parin yung isip ko at heart sa team na ‘to, susuportahan ko sila kahit anong mangyari,” the 6-foot-3 student-athlete shared after the Red Cubs’ 82-81 win over the Bullpups.
“Yung samahan sa San Beda iba e, pagpunta ko pa lang sa San Beda, ang gaan na e. Parang close na kami kaagad, parang two years na kami magkasama.”
NU-NS made it clear that they had given Amsali a chance to redeem his academic standing by attending a remedial class. However, he did not appear in the said class, as a statement by NU-NS read.
However, Amsali’s camp debunked the claim.
In an email by family councel Atty. Michelle Africa, the family of Amsali has raised their concern to the Department of Education-National Capital Region.
The family made a strong claim that NU’s Athletics Office had a hand in reversing the decision of Amsali’s teacher to give him a special project to pass the course.
Even if they get a favorable response, Amsali will have to sit out Season 94.
