CLARE Castro clarified that academics is the biggest reason for her decision to forego the chance of playing for the Gilas Pilipinas Womens in the 2019 Fiba Women's Asia Cup later this month.
The 6-foot-4 center shed light on the matter following national team backer Dioceldo Sy's comments following her withdrawal, saying that this time she chose to prioritize her alma mater Far Eastern University and its campaign in the ongoing UAAP Season 82 women's basketball tournament.
"Madami kasing kulang sa team namin. May mamimiss din ako na games kaya baka mabaon pa yung team namin," she said.
Lady Tamaraws coach Bert Flores also came to Castro's defense, saying, "May pasok din siya at may tinatapos."
"Last year na niya kasi eh at naka-four years na siya sa Team Philippines. Pero may gusto siya patunayan sa FEU dahil nag-masters siya bago siya umalis. Gusto pa niya maglaro at ayaw niya iwan yung teammates niya. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya kasi sa akin naman, walang problema."
Flores also shared that he understood where Sy was coming from, but made it clear that Castro made the decision to her own.
And FEU will stand benefit for it, with the continental tourney running in the same time where the Lady Tamaraws will have a tough schedule against Adamson and UST.
"Pag iniwan kami ni Clare, Adamson at UST na lang matitira sa amin, so patay na. Bulilit kami pag wala si Clare. Alam mo yung minions?," the jovial mentor said.
Castro said she has talked to Gilas Womens coach Pat Aquino about the situation.
"Sila coach Pat, nakausap ko na. Tinatanong kung baka pwede pa mag-iba ang isip ko," she said.
Still, Castro will be sorely missed in the Philippines' frontline, leaving much of the responsibility in the hands of Jack Animam and Fil-Am forward Kelli Hayes in the Asia Cup in Bangalore, India from Sept. 24 to 29.
Gilas Women's team will have a tough time staying in Division A, as it is placed in the killer Group B together with Australia, China and New Zealand.
She, however, vowed to be ready if a national team invite comes her way in the future as she promised: "Babalik ako sa Gilas."
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