GILAS Pilipinas Women backer Dioceldo Sy cried foul over Far Eastern University's decision to bar Clare Castro from suiting up for the national team in the 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.
"We're super disappointed," said the Ever Bilena head honcho after finding out the news.
"This is for our national interest. We are doing our best to support Gilas Womens' campaign and it's been gaining ground since we were running it under the reign of coach Pat Aquino."
Castro has been a part of the national team since March during the Philippines' stint in the 2019 Fiba 3x3 Asia Cup and the 6-foot-4 center will surely be a boost to the country's frontline for in continental tiff.
However, she has been prohibited from playing owing to academics as well as the Lady Tamaraws' ongoing campaign in the UAAP Season 82.
Sy said that the ball is now on FEU's court.
"It's FEU's conscience now," he said.
Without Castro, Gilas Womens will lean on Jack Animam and Kelli Hayes to take care of its frontline in the tournament set from September 24 to 29 in Bangalore, India.
It will be a tall task, however, for the Philippines to stay in Division I as it is slotted in Group B with Australia, New Zealand, and China.
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