La Salle center Arnold Van Opstal says he's skipping UAAP season, hints PBA is 'next frontier'

ARNOLD Van Opstal wrote on his Instagram account that he will no longer play for De La Salle in the coming UAAP season, then hinted about his plans to turn pro and apply for the PBA Rookie Draft this season.

In his post, Van Opstal said he decided not to play for the Green Archers in the UAAP Season 78 to give time for his Achilles injury to fully heal, saying he feels the decision will be for the good of his basketball career in the long run.

The La Salle center also dropped hints that he is set to turn pro, mentioning about his “next frontier” which is the PBA. UAAP players are barred from playing for their school teams and apply for the PBA draft on the same year.

If Van Opstal plays for the Green Archers this season, he will have to wait until 2016 to enter the draft.

“It pains me to announce that after four of the best years of my life, my career in La Salle is coming to an end,” wrote Van Opstal.

“For those of you who are asking why, I am sitting out for the season for the benefit of my basketball career, as I have been suffering from an ongoing Achilles injury, which has never had the time to fully heal,” Van Opstal added.

Van Opstal went on to thank his teammates, coaches, managers, the La Salle community, fans, and media for the support.

“I hope that you will continue to support me, as I am DETERMINED to come back stronger, faster and better to tackle my next frontier, the PBA. This is not the end but only the beginning. Love you guys always. ANIMO LA SALLE,” he said.

It pains me to announce that after 4 of the best years of my life, my career in La Salle is coming to an end. For those of you who are asking why, I am sitting out for the season for the benefit of my basketball career, as I have been suffering from an ongoing Achilles injury, which has never had the time to fully heal. It’s impossible to put into words how much this team means to me and how transformative this experience has been. I would like to say thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this incredible journey, from the alumni, animo squad, journalists, photographers, fans, students,managers, coaches, my beloved team mates, and of course God. I would not be who I am without you guys! From La Salle Zobel to DLSU, I was raised green and will forever be grateful. No one can ever take away the moments we shared as one family, one Animo, one La Salle. I hope that you all will continue to support me, as I am DETERMINED to come back stronger, faster and better to tackle my next frontier, the PBA. This is not the end but only the beginning. Love you guys always, ANIMO LA SALLE!

A photo posted by arnoldvanopstal (@arnoldvanopstal) on Jul 21, 2015 at 8:20pm PDT

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