THE NEWS of Tiger Cub Andrei Dungo, who ended his high school stint as a member of the UAAP Season 86 boys’ basketball Mythical Five, committing to the DLSU Green Archers for his collegiate career came as a shock to the team, UST head coach Manu Iñigo said.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Inigo said UST was caught off guard by the news, as the team was only informed of Dungo’s decision to join DLSU when it was announced on social media.
“It was foul… Hindi nagsabi sa amin. There was no communication at all,” Inigo said.
Dungo, a six-foot-three winger from San Beda University – Taytay, averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.8 in his lone season at UST.
Iñigo said Dungo has been removed from the Tiger Cubs’ roster for the NBTC National Finals and UAAP 3×3 boys’ basketball tournament.
Meanwhile, Dungo told the Varsitarian there was no bad blood between his camp and the Tiger Cubs regarding his transfer.
“Okay naman po,” he said. “As of now, hindi po kami nakakapag-practice kasi marami kaming na-late na requirements for school, pero okay naman po ‘yung relationship namin ng mga coaches,” Dungo said.
Dungo also admitted that he only sought permission from the Tiger Cubs’ coaching staff regarding his transfer after it was reported online.
“Pagkalabas po sa social media, doon pa lang po ako nakapagpaalam kina coach,” he said.
He said the decision to move to La Salle was made by both himself and his parents.
“Wala naman halos [factors] kasi ako po, sumusunod lang po ako sa parents ko kasi ‘yun yung napagdesisyunan namin—na lumipat po ako to La Salle,” he said.
“Ginusto ko rin po [lumipat sa La Salle], pero mas may respeto ko po yung desisyon nila dahil ayun nga, parents ko po sila, sa kanila po ako nanghihingi ng advice.”
He said his parents had been in contact with the Green Archers as early as before the Season 86 boys’ basketball tournament began last November.
“Before pa mag-start ‘yung season, nakapag-usap na po sila ng parents ko po. Pero, hanggang doon lang po, wala pa pong commitment or anything,” Dungo said.
La Salle has been on a recruiting splurge since winning the championship in Season 86. Aside from Dungo, it has recruited former Fighting Maroon Luis Pablo, former Red Lion Jacob Cortez and former Bulldog Kean Baclaan over the last two months.
UST, on the other hand, scored the commitments of Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, Geremy Robinson, Ashon Andrews and Leland Estacio to bolster its Season 87 men’s basketball roster. With reports from Emmanuel John B. Abris, Bjorn Del B. Deade and Brenn Allen L. Flores
