Latest news with #Season87
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
'Hardest decision ever': Veejay Pre bids farewell to FEU
UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Rookie of the Year and Far Eastern University standout Veejay Pre has parted ways with the Tamaraws. In his social media post early Wednesday, Pre said leaving FEU "has been the hardest decision ever" as he considered his family's input as well on his growth as an athlete. "I believe that leaving and saying 'goodbye' is never easy and accepting things is the most painful part," Pre wrote in the caption of his post. "As an athlete, growth and improvement matters deeply. But there comes a time in our lives when challenges arise, pushing us to make difficult decisions. My family and I have come to a decision, and I've chosen to heed their wisdom and concerns. This made me realize how much they only want the best for me and I can't deny that taking this big step forward has been the hardest decision ever." Pre, however, did not disclose where he is going next. Confirmation of Pre's departure from FEU came weeks after rumors and reports surfaced about his possible transfer. FEU finished sixth in the elimination round of Season 87, but in high school, he led the Baby Tamaraws to a third-place finish. He last played for FEU in the UAAP 3x3 tournament. Pre then thanked those who were part of his FEU journey. "I owe FEU so much, and I will always treasure the good deeds, memories, lessons, heartbreaks, and laughter we've shared. I will be forever grateful as a 'TAMARAW' and to have experienced the colorful life that FEU and its community bring," he wrote. "Forever blessed and thankful that once in my life, I was once called a 'TAMARAW.' "Once a Tamaraw, Always a 'Tamaraw,' Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University's Kris Porter also parted ways with the Blue Eagles in a decision he announced on Tuesday. 'This was a really tough decision,' said Porter. 'I spent my elementary years at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu before moving to Ateneo de Manila for high school and college. Ateneo has always been home to me, but I had to make this choice — even if I don't have concrete plans yet on where I'll go next. I believe it's a necessary step for my personal growth.' Porter said he has not yet committed to another school. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Guided by her brothers, Pat Del Pilar aspires to one day lead JRU to the top
By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News Pat Del Pilar first discovered her love of volleyball through encouragement from her two brothers, Rafael and Nathaniel. She now uses that as fuel in her bid to bring Jose Rizal University volleyball back to relevance in the NCAA. "Ito na po 'yung first love ko kasi nga na-encourage ako ng mga kuya ko. Sabi ko na gusto ko rin mag-volleyball, gusto ko rin ma-feel 'yung nafi-feel nila inside the court," Del Pilar told GMA News Online on Tuesday. Rafael and Nathaniel are like heroes for the 5-foot-11 Del Pilar. Rafael was a member of De La Salle University and suited up back in UAAP Season 79. Nathaniel followed suit as he's part of the current Green Archers, who reached the Final Four of the recently-concluded UAAP Season 87. Like the youngest Del Pilar, Rafael and Nathaniel are also middle blockers. "In-encourage po nila ako na maglaro kasi syempre I have the height din po. Pito po kaming magkakapatid and bunso po ako. 'Yung dalawang kuya ko lang po 'yung naglalaro," Del Pilar added. "Una po basketball po talaga sila tapos ayon po nakita sila ng coaches ng volleyball kaya ni-recruit sila hanggang sa tinuloy-tuloy po nila." Only a sophomore, Del Pilar is now among the leaders for the Lady Bombers, emerging as their second leading scorer in the ongoing NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball tournament. And someday, she hopes to see JRU seeing action in the Final Four. "Gusto ko rin po talaga ma-achieve na mag-Final Four kami dito sa JRU or Finals at kung papalarin mag-champion," the 22-year-old middle blocker said. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
With record crowd, five-peat secured, NU's Dante Alinsunurin hopes for continuous growth of men's volleyball in PH
A record crowd of 14,517 watched National University and Far Eastern University battle for the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball title last Saturday — a rare sight for the event which just years ago was playing in front of almost empty arenas. Now, men's volleyball has been gaining ground and five-peat champion coach Dante Alinsunurin himself turned emotional as he saw the fans for both squads cheering inside the Mall of Asia Arena. "Medyo nangingilid luha ko sa nakita ko kanina. Sabi ko bakit ngayon lang nangyari samantalang siguro past 2018 pa nagsimula na tayo sa men's na umaangat na. Nagkaproblema lang talaga at nagka-pandemic," Alinsunurin said in a press conference on Saturday. "Sana magtuloy-tuloy, hindi lang para sa NU community at FEU community 'yung suporta para sa amin." Alinsunurin said seeing crowds as big as that inspires coaches and players to be better in their sport. "Sana sa mga susunod pa ng liga ng men's, lagi silang nandiyan kasi napaka-importante sa players and coaches na makakita ng ganito. Lalo pa naming mapagbubutihan sa pag-coach at paglalaro. Parang alam mo sa sarili mo na na-appreciate na talaga 'yung men's dito sa Pilipinas," he said. But beyond the record attendance, NU has also cemented its legacy in men's volleyball with its seven titles overall and Alinsunurin himself got teary-eyed as he recalled the struggles of building a winning program. "Sobrang thankful lang din sa sitwasyon kasi pinaghirapan talaga mula sa simula. 'Yung umpisa, mahirap mag-recruit kasi 'di kilala 'yung team," Alinsunurin said. "Kasi nung simula talagang 'di kami pinapansin. Sobrang thankful lang na 'yung pinagtrabahuhan namin is nagbubunga na. Sana 'yun lang, mag-continue lang. Kung sino man 'yung mga nilalagay namin sa NU, mag-continue pa." "Hindi lang kami, hindi lang para sa amin, hindi lang namin gusto mag-champion dito. Gusto din namin 'yung mga players na lumevel up 'di lang dito sa Pinas kundi sa ibang bansa. Hindi lang ito para sa NU, para sa buong Pilipinas din." The title also came months before the country hosts the FIVB Men's World Championship which will be held in September in the same venue. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
