By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the East has finally broken its silence on the reason behind the mass departure of players in its women’s volleyball team.
According to UE, the Strong Group Athletics, the team’s previous back has decided to not anymore renew its partnership with the Lady Warriors prompting most of the team’s coaches, who are under SGA, to also leave the team.
The Recto-based squad disclosed in its two-page statement that with the farewell of the past mentors, it opted to appoint new members for its coaching staff and while it held an evaluation and tryout for players.
According to a source, there are four players retained to the lineup as they were deemed fit to the new system UE set to employ.
“‘Yon ang una kong alam [na apat ‘yong matitira], not sure kung nag-retain po ulet [ng iba],” said the source.
The school also stressed that all of the unselected players would be removed from their scholarship and it would be passed to the new ones due to the limited slot of athletic service grant.
The shocking move was approved by the school president and was consulted by the UE sports committee.
“In this context, we take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to our former sponsor, Strong Group Athletics (SGA) for their generous support of the UE Women’s Volleyball Team during UAAP Season 86 and 87,” the school said in a statement.
“We are likewise grateful to all the members of the team who represented UE with dedication and effort throughout those seasons,” it added.
The team vowed to continue its support to the student-athletes and its program in the future, noting its goal of bringing the students to excellence and pride on and off the court.
“Looking ahead, UE remains firmly committed to supporting its student-athletes and to building a competitive, values-driven sports program,” it continued.
“Our ultimate goal is to empower our athletes to grow not only in their sport but also as student leaders, and to bring pride and honor to the University through excellence in the UAAP,” it concluded.
UE women’s volleyball squad suffered another winless campaign after enduring a 0-14 slate last edition.
