Former University of the Visayas (UV) big man Michael Macion has secured his release from his former school, thus paving the way for him to eventually suit up for the Adamson University Falcons in the UAAP.
UV officials relayed to Cebu Daily News that Macion himself approached them for his release papers, which were subsequently granted.
Macion was groomed to be one of UV’s future pillars after he was recruited to join the Green Lancers from Samar. However, after spending a few seasons, his potential did not come to fruition and he eventually made his way to the Falcons’ nest during the Cesafi offseason.
According to Adamson’s Cebu liaison, Michael Cenabre, Macion approached him for assistance immediately after the end of the Cesafi season.
“Actually, we didn’t recruit (Mike) Macion. He contacted me for help so I immediately called Tonichi (Yturri, Adamson assistant coach) and then he was asked to go to Manila from Tacloban,” said Cenabre. “Coach Franz (Pumaren) liked him but we first had to make sure of his intentions. To be fair to UV, we wanted him to go through the right transfer process.”
But one person that Macion apparently never spoke to regarding his intentions to transfer was no other than team manager and youthful solon, Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas.
“He didn’t talk to me. But if someone doesn’t want be a Lancer, we won’t force it on him. I’m very happy with the players I have now. Players who will do what it takes to win it for the school,” said Gullas.
Even assistant coach Van Halen Parmis appeared to be indifferent to the development.
“We’re used to that by now. It’s really up to the players since they never bothered to ask us for advice,” said UV’s lead scout and the man responsible for bringing Macion into the Lancers’ fold.
Adamson now boasts of having three former Cesafi studs on their squad in Macion, former Cesafi Mythical Five forward and ex-University of San Carlos Warrior Conrad Catapusan and former University of Cebu Baby Webmaster Jerie Marlon Pingoy.