UNIVERSITY of the Visayas head coach Gary Cortes aired his frustration when his team captain Raffy Octobre was disqualified from the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. for academic deficiencies.
“I was so disappointed to find out that Raffy is not qualified (to play in Season 15) because he lacked the required units during the second semester. Had I known about it earlier, I would not have included him in our pre-season tune-up games and tournaments. What’s the point of keeping a player who cannot help when he is needed?” Cortes told Sun.Star Cebu.
Octobre and SWU’s ace playmaker Jasper Parker have the same reason for getting disqualified—they lack the required number of units in the second semester.
“Raffy’s load in the second semester did not reach the required units. And according to him, some of his subjects were no longer offered. So what he enrolled in were the only subjects offered,” Cortes said.
Parker, according to SWU athletic director Ryan Aznar, enrolled in the second semester without consulting him how much load he needed to take.
In place of Octobre, Cortes tapped the services of the young but promising Michael Angelo Macion, a rookie out of Marabut, Samar who has the same build and savvy.
“Naay potential (Macion) but bata pa kaayo. He’s 6’4” and lanky. But, we will try to make the best from him. Hopefully, he will learn our system fast,” added Cortes.
Aside from Macion, UV also has a new player in Jayson Balabag, who can also help fill the gap in the middle.
Despite the setback, UV is still considered a top contender as they have proven to be have a stronger and more complete line-up compared to defending champions Southwestern University Cobras, who will not have five players from last year’s champion squad.