F2 stint might not be possible for Morente
January 22, 2018 | 3:43pm
Mich Morente | philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics vowed to be extremely cautious before formally fielding Michelle Morente in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix starting Feb. 17.
Team manager Hollie Reyes said they would inquire with the UAAP board before coming up with the decision if they would include Morente in their roster for the season-ending conference.
The Cargo Movers need Morente badly.
In fact, with the PSL moving its Grand Prix from October to February, the Cargo Movers had no choice but to let UAAP stars Dawn Macandili, Tin Tiamzon, Desiree Cheng, Kianna Dy and Majoy Baron re-join De La Salle University.
Although veterans Aby Marano, Cha Cruz, Kim Fajardo and the returning Ara Galang are still there together with imports Kennedy Bryan of United States and Jose Maria Perez of Venezuela, there’s still a huge void that the Cargo Movers have to fill.
Morente, however, is still serving her residency and joining a club league like the PSL might greatly hurt her eligibility status.
And that’s what the Cargo Movers are trying to avoid.
“Yes, we want her to join us,” said Reyes, who was part of the glorious La Salle team a decade ago.
“But we also have to be very careful and clarify it first to the UAAP (board) since she’s still serving her (UAAP) residency. We want to make sure that no rule on (UAAP) eligibility and residency will be violated before we field her in the PSL.”
UAAP insiders believe that it's impossible for Morente to suit up for the Cargo Movers this year.
A similar case happened three years ago when the UAAP board barred Ben Mbala from seeing action for La Salle after competing in a commercial league in General Santos City while still undergoing residency.
The Green Archers appealed his case, saying that there’s no infraction committed since he didn’t receive any compensation for his performance.
Still, the UAAP voted, 4-2, in favor of Mbala serving another year of residency.
F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus said although Morente is in great shape, they still have to reach out to the UAAP board and clarify if the prized opposite can really play in the most prestigious club league in the country.
“Of course, we also have to consider her UAAP stint and her studies as well,” said de Jesus in a previous statement.
“If she can’t play with us (in the Grand Prix), we will respect that. I think it is also a perfect chance for her to focus on her studies while waiting for her turn to play in the UAAP and the PSL.”
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