FILE– Kristian Porter during his stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo will enter the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament without one of its young and budding talents.
On Tuesday, Kristian Porter officially bid goodbye to the Blue Eagles after one season with the squad based out of Loyola Heights.
Porter said he’s leaving Ateneo for his “personal growth.”
READ: UAAP: Kristian Porter, Jared Bahay embrace pressure of leading Ateneo
“I spent my elementary years at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu before moving to Ateneo de Manila for high school and college,” said the 19-year-old swingman.
“Ateneo has always been home to me, but I had to make this choice — even if I don’t have concrete plans yet on where I’ll go next. I believe it’s a necessary step for my personal growth.”
Before Porter suited up for the Blue Eagles in Season 87, he was instrumental for the Blue Eaglets alongside Lebron Nieto in the boys’ division of the UAAP.
READ: UAAP: Kristian Porter powers Ateneo past NU in close win
He then went on to play under coach Tab Baldwin in the seniors’ division, where he posted average of 6.57 points and 6.86 rebounds in 14 games played for Ateneo.
Porter also cited that he had troubles with his academics, which cost him training days with the Blue Eagles.
Still, the 6-foot-5 bruiser clarified that there’s no discontentment with his decision to bid Ateneo goodbye.
“I wasn’t able to train with the team for most of the second semester because I had to catch up on my schoolwork… It was a hard decision to step back, but I needed to focus on my studies at the time.”
“There’s no discontentment at all. I’m just looking for personal growth and a change of scenery. That’s really what this is about.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
As of writing, Porter hasn’t announced where his next destination would be.
