NATIONAL U cried foul on what it deems to be unethical recruitment by a rival UAAP school of a young talent who has already committed to the Bulldogs.
While sources embedded within the NU camp are not yet willing to divulge the player's identity out of respect for him and his family, they shared that this promising prospect has apparently taken a u-turn from his initial decision of committing to the blue-and-gold, citing his desire for growth and his family's decision to rethink their options.
The sources furthered that the player, who committed to National U months ago, was started to be wooed by a rival UAAP school last month. Even though he is already part of the Bulldogs' rosters for preseason tournaments, he told his coaches last Wednesday that he is recanting his initial commitment.
The player is now back in his hometown, and the Jhocson-based team has been unable to reach him ever since.
"Nagpaalam bigla na uuwi siya sa probinsya at mag-iisip muna. Kahit yung mga teammates niya, hindi na rin nakakausap," a team insider said.
To NU, this is a crystal clear display of poaching.
"Isipin mo, nasa amin na at nakapaglaro na, pero may mga umaaligid pa rin at hindi tinitigilan yung bata," the source continued. "Nakakabastos lang din kasi kami ang nag-develop mula pa noong high school at gusto sa amin maglaro, pero dahil may mga bumubulong na kung sino-sino, nagugulo lang yung isip ng bata."
I got NU rules, I count 'em
Another source from the Bulldogs also shared that these moves might set a dangerous precedent, one that is already being seen in collegiate basketball with rival schools still hot on the heels of recruits even after they have already committed, no less playing, for a particular team.
"Hindi na bago sa amin yung ganyan, yung pinauwi sa probinsya at kung ano-ano yung dahilan tapos next thing you know, nakalipat na sa kabila," the insider said. "Wala naman kaming magagawa sa desisyon ng bata o ng pamilya niya, pero ang iniisip lang namin is yung kapakanan ng bata."
Since Jeff Napa took over as head coach, the Bulldogs have seen more than a few cornerstones - players who were seeing action for 30 minutes per game and contributing in several statistical departments - depart all of a sudden, either going to rival UAAP schools or taking their talents elsewhere.
The other source furthered: "Hindi rin maganda yung magiging dating sa atin sa UAAP. Lahat naman gusto mag-compete. Pantay-pantay naman lahat pagdating sa recruitment. Pero parang hindi na tama na yung nasa bakuran na ng iba, kinukuha mo pa."
"Ang pakiusap lang naman namin sa mga kapwa coaches, wag nang kausapin at kunin yung mga player na tine-train since high school pa lang at inaasahang makakatulong sa seniors. Kami sa NU, yung high school grassroots, pinaghihirapan at pinagtiyatiyagaan namin. Respeto na lang sana."
National U is looking to bounce back from a 5-9 campaign last season, still led by Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
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