If things could go his way, Jose Rizal University head coach Louie Gonzales said he would rather help out departing Heavy Bomber William Sy, wishing the player could have finished his studies.
Last Saturday, the sophomore guard announced his decision to leave the Mandaluyong-based squad after seven years in JRU, though he did not disclose his next moves.
"William approached me two days ago sa practice, he told me about yung problem niya nga. Gusto naming ma-resolve eh pero sabi niya sa'kin, it's his family decision already," Gonzales told GMA Integrated News on Tuesday as the Heavy Bombers visited GMA Network for a Masterclass on social media literacy.
"I told him na whatever it is, gusto ko sana tutulungan ko pa rin siya. Sabi ko sa kanya, I want you to finish your studies, kasi 21 units left, konti na lang."
[William approached me two days ago in practice, he told me about his problem. We want to resolve it but he told me, it's his family decision already. I told him whatever it is, I'd like to help him. I told him, I want you to finish your studies because he's so close, 21 units left.]
Gonzales also offered other options for Sy but in the end, he respected his player's decision.
"'Di mo naman kailangan magpaalam, kung gusto mo magbakasyon, magbakasyon ka muna para matulungan ang family mo," the JRU coach said. "'Di ko naman mapipigilan kasi sa lahat ng mga players ko, nirerespeto ko kung ano ang desisyon, especially if family talaga."
[You don't need to leave, if you want to take a vacation, take one for a while so you can help your family. But I can't stop him because as with all my player, I respect their decision, especially if it relates to family.]
Sy's JRU teammate Shawn Argente, meanwhile, expressed his support.
"For me malungkot kasi tinuring ko na rin siyang kapatid, siyempre teammate. 'Di rin namin inaasahan 'yung pag-alis," he said about Sy's departure.
"Pero di naman din namin siya mapipigilan kasi choice niya 'yun, decision niya 'yun. Ang magagawa namin now is suportahan 'yung decision niya kung saan man siya pumunta."
[For me, it's sad because I see him as a brother, and of course teammate. We didn't expect that he would leave. But we can't stop him because it's his choice, his decision. What we can do is support his decision, wherever he ends up going next.]
Despite the exit of Sy and key players such as Ry Dela Rosa and JL Delos Santos, Gonzales remains optimistic about his new pool of players who are ready for NCAA Season 100.
"I really have a promising group right now. Out from pandemic when we got back, nakapag-recruit ako, marami na akong players nang nag-undergo ng residency. Mas malaki ang pool of players right now. Ito rin ang players na nakapagsimula kami nang maaga kasi we wanted to build the best team, not just best-skilled, but the best team that worked as one," said Gonzales.
"We're really looking forward to a very great season and at least perform better now and make it to the Final Four or nandun na sa finals."
[I really have a promising group right now. Out from pandemic when we got back, I recruited players, I have a lot who had to undergo residency. I have a bigger pool of players right now. These are also the players where we could start early because we wanted to build the best team, not just best-skilled, but the best team that worked as one... We're really looking forward to a very great season and at least perform better now and make it to the Final Four or there in the Finals.]
This sentiment was also echoed by Argente.
"Expectation ko this season is mas masisipag and mas handang makinig compared sa last season, marami kaming seniors so maraming naga-guide sa amin. Ngayon, halos lahat rookie so lahat kami magkakaisa, walang angat-angat, lahat magkakapantay," the incoming sophomore said.
[My expectation this season is we work harder and ready to listen compared to last season, when we had a lot of seniors so we have a lot who can guide us. Now, we have a lot of rookies so we're all united, no one is above anyone else, we're all equal.]
JRU fell short of the Final Four and finished sixth with 10 wins and eight losses in NCAA Season 99.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
