Hapee sad over pullout of Ateneo's key players

The sudden pullout by Ateneo of the core of its team from Hapee Toothpaste has placed the PBL squad’s preparations in disarray three weeks into the opening of the new PBL season.

“We have a lot of problems to solve in our lineup because of the Ateneo pullout. I hope that the players we drafted will fit into our system which has a lot of pick-and-rolls, transition plays and a solid defensive system,” said Hapee coach Gee Abanilla.

Citing conflict in academic schedule, UAAP champion Ateneo decided to withdraw its players from Hapee hours before the PBL draft Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

It was a sad day for the Hapee officials, led by owner Dr. Cecelio Pedro, who had hoped to put up a competitive team built around the likes of UAAP MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Chris Tiu.

Pedro’s managing partner, Ding Salvador, also an Atenean, said they were not aware of the plan of the Ateneo officials to pull out their players.

“We’re not angry but we’re very disappointed. Why on the eleventh hour?” said Salvador. “We hope to get an explanation from them (Ateneo officials).”

“We really want to have a very competitive team this year but now that Ateneo players withdrew, we have to start all over again,” said Salvador.

“The pullout set back my plans for the team. I was really excited to handle them because they are very talented players,” Abanilla said.

Aside from Al-Hussaini and Tiu, Hapee was eyeing Finals MVP Nonoy Baclao, Eric Salamat, Jeffrey Long, Raymond Leonard Austria, Jai Reyes, Christopher Sumalinog and Jobe Nkemakolam.

The last time Hapee Toothpaste won a title in the league was four years ago when the team was still bannered by Ateneo stars Rich Alvarez, Larry Fonacier and LA Tenorio.