In Pingoy's shoes - Johnny A could have been a Blue Eagle, but opted to stay with FEU

Jerie Pingoy could very well be the most popular high school basketball player in the land today. Although he is a very good player, most of the attention given to him is because of his impending transfer from FEU-FERN to Ateneo de Manila University. Several years ago, another FEU point guard was offered the same opportunity, but his reaction to the proposal differed. Johnny Abarrientos, one of the best point guards this country has ever seen, had the chance to transfer to Ateneo and be a Blue Eagle at the collegiate level, after leading the FEU Baby Tamaraws to the 1987 UAAP title. However, he decided switching schools would be too risky for his future basketball career.

"Di naman lahat ng offer na binibigay sayo kailangan mong tanggapin," Abarrientos said. "Kailangan mong mag-decide para sa long term, di lang yung immediate future mo." Ever since he was a kid, studying in Ateneo had been Abarrientos' dream and he could have made it come true if he accepted the offer to transfer. However, he decided it would be in his best interest to stay with FEU. "Dream school ko yung Ateneo pero nagdesisyon ako noon na mas mapapabuti yung career ko kung sa FEU ako," Abarrientos said.  "Nagpapasalamat naman ako na nag-work out yun para sa akin." Abarrientos went on to be one of the most celebrated players in FEU history. After playing for four years in the UAAP as a Tamaraw, he parlayed his success into a very fruitful and memorable PBA career. Now an assistant coach with the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the FEU Tamaraws, Abarrientos is thankful that his decisions in the past enabled him to be where he is today. "Ten pesos lang per day ang allowance ko sa FEU pero tiniis ko kasi alam ko na para naman sa future ng basketball career ko yun," he said. "Pero yung di ko nakuha, at least ngayon na-bless sa mga anak ko." His dream of studying in Ateneo did not materialize for Abarientos but his three kids are now living their father's dream. His eldest child is now a first year AB Communication student in ADMU. His second born is a member of Team B of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, while the youngest is still in elementary. With a new rule for UAAP high school students who want to transfer to a different college in place, Abarrientos opined that the change from a one year residency to two years is fair. "Inaalagaan kasi ng FEU yung mga students," he said. "Hinahanap yan sa iba't ibang province tapos aalagaan sa FEU. Masakit naman kasi talaga pag bigla na lang kukunin ng ibang schools pag college na." - AMD, GMA News