ATENEO is withdrawing from participating in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
The team has made the tough decision on Sunday, as the Blue Eagles try to recover from the tragedy which cost the lives of their players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
"The Executive Committee of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup has been informed of Ateneo de Manila University's decision to withdraw from competing for the remainder of the tournament," Filoil Preseason said in a statement.
"Upon continuous discussions and as confirmed with the University's athletic director Mr. Emmanuel Fernandez, it was deemed appropriate to grant their request out of compassion following the tragic incident.
"The league continues to extend its heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved and to the community as we navigate these tough times."
The Katipunan crew has only played once this preseason, a 72-52 victory over Adamson last June 6 before going to their doomed team building in Dipaculao, Aurora.
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Since the incident, organizers of the premiere preseason tournament have staged a moment of silence before every game in honor of Baterbonia and Adili, with former La Salle center Mike Phillips also offering a prayer to the two last Friday.
Ateneo was scheduled to play University of Santo Tomas this Tuesday then Far Eastern University on Wednesday prior to its pullout.
Jose Rizal University previously withdrew from participating in Filoil when the Light Bombers opted to pull out of the juniors tournament following the death of CJ Servillon 11 years ago.
The 17-year-old Servillon collapsed during JRU's game against De La Salle Zobel on May 22, 2015. He was rushed to Cardinal Santos Medical Center, but passed away two days later.
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