MANILA, Philippines — Athletes were quick to show support for broadcast station ABS-CBN after the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order on Tuesday.
Home to a number of sports leagues like the UAAP, the NCAA and the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), more than a number of sports personalities expressed their thoughts on the issue.
Related Stories
National team stalwart Alyssa Valdez, who plays with PVL team Creamline Cool Smashers, used broken hearts on twitter to show her feelings on the situation.
???????????? https://t.co/YMWDgWUasi
— Alyssa Valdez (@AlyssaValdez2) May 5, 2020
It was a quote tweet of a photo of the final TV Patrol broadcast on Tuesday evening before the channel went dark due to its expired franchise.
Meanwhile, fellow volleyball star Kim Fajardo, who played her UAAP career with the DLSU Lady Spikers, re-tweeted ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak's message on the issue.
???????????? https://t.co/4Ox9DMG4ay
— Kim Fajardo (@kimfajardo9) May 5, 2020
Along with the statement, Fajardo tweeted out red, blue and green spots -- the colors of the ABS-CBN logo.
PVL player Myla Pablo also used her twitter account in promoting her stand.
I #StandWithABSCBN pic.twitter.com/f4aZ9pRtLm
— myla pablo (@iamMylaPablo) May 5, 2020
"I #StandWithABSCBN," Pablo wrote, along with a photo of the ABS-CBN ribbon.
Pablo's Motolite teammate Carmela Tunay did the same on Instagram.
Basketball players like Ricci Rivero and Shaun Ildefonso also aired their sentiments on the shutdown.
To the network who covered my games, who witnessed and celebrated my triumphs and defeats, who entertained us and informed us and who brought me closer to your homes. For every hardwork each Kapamilya poured into for the service of the Filipino worldwide #IStandWithABSCBN ????????
— Ricci Rivero (@_ricciiirivero) May 5, 2020
"To the network who covered my games, who witnessed and celebrated my triumphs and defeats, who entertained us and informed us and who brought me closer to your homes. For every hardwork each Kapamilya poured into for the service of the Filipino worldwide #IStandWithABSCBN," Rivero wrote.
Besides SRSLY, Napaka-Intense ng situation natin mga mami. Madami ang apektado. Sana matapos na ito. We should make a stand and #DefendPressFreedom. We will be back and I promise matatawa kayo hanggang sa sisikmurahin kayo HHAHA #KapamilyaForever #IStandWithABSCBN ????
— Shaun Ildefonso (@ShaunIldefonso) May 5, 2020
Ildefonso, who hosts a digital show called SRSLY with ABS-CBN, called to action his followers to defend press freedom.
"Madami ang apektado. Sana matapos na ito. We should make a stand and #DefendPressFreedom," Ildefonso wrote.
Former volleyball star turned TV host Gretchen Ho also tweeted out her suport.
Para sa lahat ng atletang nabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan dahil sa inyong walang-sawang suporta, #MaramingSalamatABSCBN.
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) May 5, 2020
"Para sa lahat ng atletang nabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan dahil sa inyong walang-sawang suporta, #MaramingSalamatABSCBN," Ho wrote.
With the future of the broadcast company hanging in the balance, some sports leagues who call ABS-CBN home might be affected should the franchise not be renewed.