Many were surprised when Cubs-turned-Lions Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez made the decision to leave the den over the last few days.
After all, the two technically grew up in San Beda.
For Sanchez, he firmly decided to move out of the school due to its rule of not allowing its student-athletes to play in outside leagues as individuals.
Through the years, San Beda uses the off-season as the time for its student-athletes to catch up with academics.
“Nagdecide ako magpaalam nung last week ng January kasi hindi natupad yung mga napag-usapan at hindi din ako pinayagan makapaglaro sa ibang liga na sa tingin ko makakatulong para sa pag-improve ako as a player,” said the 6-foot-5 Sanchez, who averaged 5.59 points and 3.41 rebounds in his sophomore season.
Unlike his good pal Sanchez, Ynot thought long and hard about whether he would leave San Beda.
Ultimately, supporting his family in Misamis Occidental was his utmost priority.
“Yung pagalis ko sa San Beda ay isa sa pinaka mahirap na desisyon na ginawa ko dahil naging bahay ko ‘to ng ilang taon. Pinagisipan ko talaga kung tama ba ‘tong gagawin ko.
“Isa sa mga naging rason ay yung kagustuhan kong makapag laro ng MPBL kasi dito pa mas mahahahasa yung skills ko,” said Ynot, who normed 9.06 points, 5.44 rebounds, and 2.33 assists last season. “Pero liban doon, meron rin kasi kaming mga napagkasunduan na hindi rin natupad at naging factor na rin iyon.
“Alam ko sa pagalis ko madaming nadismaya o nagalit, pero yung desisyon ko na to ay hindi lamang para sa akin pero pati sa pamilya ko. Lahat tayo may silent battles sa buhay. Sa pagpili ko sa desisyon na ‘to alam kong makakabuti ‘to di lamang para sa akin kung hindi para rin sa mga naniniwala sa akin at lalong lalo na sa pamilya ko,” he continued.
The two are now set to play for Iloilo in the MPBL. Iloilo is coached by their former Red Cubs coach Manu Inigo.
Tiebreaker Times earlier reported that the two are also bound to transfer to College of Saint Benilde.
“Hindi naman ako kinausap ng CSB pa. Wala pa nag-contact sa akin doon,” said Ynot.
Both Ynot and Sanchez stressed that they have yet to decide and that their focus is on the MPBL.
“Wala pa naman akong lilipatan pero may mga schools na nag-ooffer. Pinag-iisipan ko pa kung saang school ako mag-eexcel at makakatulong sa akin as a player,” said Sanchez.
“As of now ang focus ko talaga is nasa MPBL pero ngayon biglang may mga tumatawag na po na UAAP schools. I trust everything to God because His plan is better than my plan, and the rest will follow,” added Ynot.
However, once they play in the MPBL as special guest players, they will no longer be eligible to play in the UAAP.
This is going to be the same problem Franz Diaz will face once he enrolls at University of Santo Tomas. Diaz previously played for Pagadian in the VisMin Super Cup.
