SETTING the record straight, the MVP Sports Foundation clarified that its involvement with the Ateneo men's basketball is purely via financial support.
MVPSF president Al S. Panlilio released a statement on Monday to set the record straight on the foundation's hand in the Blue Eagles team, insisting that the squad is still under the watch of the University.
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"The MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) has long supported the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team, along with many other collegiate and national sports campaigns, programs, and athletes. As with all of the sports programs we support, the MVPSF’s role is limited to providing funding," the statement read.
"The foundation does not own or manage the Ateneo Men's Basketball Team. It does not run the team’s programs’ and athletes’ management, coaching, recruitment, and player development."
This is in response to the statements made by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director P/Major General Alexander Morico II saying that the men's basketball team is "autonomous" from Ateneo's athletics office.
“We learned also from the University Athletics Office that the Ateneo basketball team allegedly is autonomous and independently run by a foundation,” the official said on Monday in a press briefing.
CIDG is set to subpoena officials from Smart Communications, in which MVP Sports Foundation is a part of, together with Ateneo president Roberto S. Yap, SJ over the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora.
A few Blue Eagles have also appeared before the CIDG on Monday, among them Kymani Ladi, Dominic Escobar, Geo Chiu, and incoming one-and-done player EJ Kapihe to issue their sworn statements in relation to the investigation.
MVPSF also clarified Epok Quimpo's dual role, that as much as he's an employee of Smart Communications, he has also acted as the Blue Eagles team manager.
It said that as much as that's the case, Quimpo has always been under Ateneo's jurisdiction when it came to the team.
"We understand he has served with the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team in his own personal capacity over the past full decade - as an alumnus of Ateneo, and as a former member of the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team, who was invited by Ateneo to be its team manager.
"In that engagement, he has always been under the authority and direction of the University and its officials," the statement read.
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