Without Schonny Winston on and off the court, the DLSU Archers fail to reach the final four at the UAAP S85 men’s basketball tournament.
In the biggest game of De La Salle University’s in Season 85 of the UAAP, not having its MVP front runner Schonny Winston proved to be costly after absorbing an 80-76 loss against the Adamson Falcons in its season ending game last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Winston was not fielded for the most important game of their season, and worse, was barred from joining the rest of the team in the bus going to the arena and from their own bench on the sidelines.
The top-performing guard was seen in the MOA Arena as a spectator in a black hoodie, not wearing his jersey nor his team jacket, with his dad and trainer, coach Laurian Watkins.
Sports blog site, SPIN.ph, said the DLSU guard was told that he "cannot come with the team or sit on the bus and participate,” after only making cameos in the last games with a total of 22 seconds of appearance in the last three games of the second round.
Winston had been sidelined by a calf strain since November, and apparently, the big names from DLSU are not at all happy with his recovery and his apparent lack of effort towards getting better.
“Calf strain lol? … a torn calf. I will always support my brothers whether I’m allowed on the bench or have to buy tickets to the game. Can’t stop my love for them,” tweeted Winston after the do-or-die game.
Despite the uncanny circumstances that transpired during the second round of the tournament, Schonny showed his support for his brothers and made sure that they felt his love for them.
“Thank you, La Salle. I will always be an Archer at heart. Few know but I suffered a Torn Calf after the first round and been trying to make a recovery ever since but I guess it wasn’t quick enough… wish I could have competed – Love yall thanks for the support!!”
La Salle head coach Derick Pumaren refrained from making statements regarding Winston’s case, saying the school will come out with a statement, Inquirer said.
“Yes, yes. He was cleared to train without restrictions. He was cleared to play without restrictions,” he bared to the media.
However, after all had been said and done, the Archers still made one heck of a run in its last game as point guard Evan Nelle put his whole team behind his back for a gallant stand for the last spot in the final four.
Tags: #UAAP, #basketball, #DLSU