"It's Tough" Ritualo on the Cancelation of UAAP Season 83

On December 11, 2020, collegiate basketball fans were stunned by the news that the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) decided to cancel Season 83 amid the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. For some, the disappointment that we'll need to wait longer for the UAAP to resume is the leading emotion. For some, it's sadness.

One La Salle great summarized everything in two words: "It's tough"

Renren Ritualo, who won four straight championships with the De La Salle Green Archers, joined Migs Bustos and Cesca Litton-Kalaw on Tuesday's episode of Off the Record with Migs and Cesca as Ritualo shared his thoughts on the effects of Season 83's cancelation not just to the players but to the entire Filipino basketball community.

"It's tough for rookie players but it's also tough for the seniors. It's really, really tough. Many of them decided that 'I'm gonna stay for my last year (of eligibility). I will pass on joining the draft' then the following week, the UAAP announced that the next season is canceled. It's like everything dropped on you," Ritualo cited. While the league's decision to cancel Season 82 will be tough on the players, Ritualo also explained that the decision is also tough for the entire team and not just for the players. "It's been tough for the teams because think about it: gyms were closed during the lockdowns. Getting in shape is really, really challenging for them because workouts could only be done via Zoom at home. They've been working so hard then boom! Canceled! Think about how many months they've been preparing with so much difficulty because everything is closed. It's a very challenging time for athletes and of course, for the coaches,"

In the end, the man they called "The Rainman" said everyone should use this decision by the UAAP as a motivation.  "It's easier said than done but you have to be positive on everything that happened in your life. This is major but you have to be positive. It's really, really challenging that it's hard to see this as a good thing but you have to use it as a motivation for yourself," 

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