UC, Ateneo de Cebu open to taking in players from USC-BED

TWO of Cebu’s leading schools in multi-sporting meets, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, are open to accepting athletes from the disbanded varsity teams of the University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-BED).

USC-BED recently disbanded its entire elementary varsity squad and five secondary teams because of adjustments to the K to 12 program that include budget constraints.

The Magis Eagles, the reigning Milo Little Olympics regional finals champion and the core team of Mandaue City in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA), said they are open to recruiting former Warriors.

“We’re open but we don’t actively or aggressively recruit. But anyone can come to try out for any team,” Ateneo de Cebu athletic director Rico Navarro said.

But Navarro clarified that those interested in joining the Magis Eagles teams should prioritize their studies rather than just play.

“Some have come here. We ask their parents if they come to study or play for the school. If they answer play, we tell them to go find another school,” Navarro said.

Although UC, also said it is willing to accept players from USC-BED, athletic director Bernard Ricablanca said the decision depends on the coaches’.

Ricablanca admitted that the Webmasters are also trimming down the number of athletes in their camp to also adjust with the K to 12 program of the Department of Education.

“If we have a certain team that lacks players, then we can accept new athletes. But we still prioritize our own athletes,” Ricablanca said. “We also have to look at the achievements of the athletes who will try out with us.”

Ricablanca also said they are starting to phase out their reserve teams in certain sports and they will focus more on their tier one or their primary teams in their ranks.

“The reserves will be little, most probably one team per sport and there are also other teams which we will limit the number of players. We trim down to support the administration of the university,” added Ricablanca. He, however, made it clear that the Webmasters are intact won’t disband any time soon.