UST Tigresses’ coach KungFu Reyes during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Without naming any player or school, University of Santo Tomas coach KungFu Reyes on Wednesday spoke about loyalty and respect for grassroots programs in general amid what he called “unethical” recruitment practices.

HIGHLIGHTS: UAAP Season 87 volleyball playoff – UST vs La Salle

The longtime mentor addressed the issue after several members of the Tigresses’ coaching staff and players echoed sentiments on loyalty and respect after an alleged poaching incident in UST girls’ volleyball program.

UST coaches Yani Fernandez and Lerma Giron shared a pointed message from the team’s Facebook fan page titled, “Why Build When You Can Just Grab?”. The post took a swipe at programs accused of luring athletes mid-season with offers and perks.

KungFu Reyes preaches loyalty and respect. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/nAm9Z5XCvS

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“It’s not just about poaching—it’s about poaching while classes are ongoing, as if academics, team dynamics, and loyalty don’t matter. But hey, if winning means skipping the process, who cares about values, right?” the Facebook post read.

“Shoutout to the programs still choosing to build, not steal. You’re the real MVPs.”

The same page also posted a video featuring homegrown talents Detdet Pepito, Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado, Em Banagua, Marga Altea, Pia Abbu, and Sandrine Escober declaring: “UST hanggang sa huli ikaw ang pipiliin. Go USTe!”

‘Unethical timing’

UST Junior Golden Tigresses during the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

While Reyes refused to name a player or a school amid the online buzz, reports are swirling that UST high school captain Jaila Adrao is moving schools and taking her act to a champion team.

“There’s been a lot of interest in our grassroots program, and we’re about that because it means we’re doing the right thing. We’re molding these kids in preparation for college, but of course they have the free will to choose where they want to go next. But [I don’t think it’s right] to leave in the middle of Grade 11, because there’s still Grade 12,” Reyes told reporters in Filipino.

READ: Behind UST’s unbeaten start in UAAP volleyball: The ‘fantastic’ coaching staff

“Recruiting Grade 11 [players] is very unethical, but it has become the norm somehow. But here in UST, the kids have the freedom to choose after graduation. Unfortunately, cases like this happen.”

Reyes said that he understands that intensive recruitment–and in turn, poaching–is nothing new in collegiate sports, but he believes that leaving the program during the academic year isn’t the proper time.

READ: UST Growling Tigers flex recruiting muscle

“There are student-athletes who look at the scholarship and all the privileges, so it can stop or change the direction of the child’s program, especially in terms of academics. Not to brag, but since you’re already in UST–why not get your diploma [here], then after that you can get your diploma from La Salle, Ateneo or whatsover,” he said.

“Those are the things we want to teach the kids—to be grateful somehow. It’s really about the right timing, but maybe they can’t resist the whispers of offers.”

Nothing new for UST

UST Tigresses during a game against NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Bidding farewell to star high school players is not new for UST as it let go of former Junior Tigresses stars Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago, Dindin Manabat, and Kim Fajardo, who turned out to be stars of their respective universities and made their names in Philippine volleyball.

But Reyes took exception to players leaving without finishing senior high school.

“Having our players from the grassroots program poached has been part of the league, but at UST, we don’t get tired of producing and training kids although it hurts [when they leave], ” the UST girls’ and women’s coach said.

Reyes on ‘unethical’ transfer: Maybe they won the championship, pero kung medyo unethical ang pangyayari, you won’t get my respect whatever the result na meron ka. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/NaQ8X336f7

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“Maybe [they will end up] winning champions, but if you won’t get my respect whatever the result you may get if the way it happened was somewhat unethical. It would be very hypocritical of us to say that we’re not affected by these things because we have programs set for these kids.”

He said UST is happy to let players go, especially if the move benefits their careers—citing examples like Van Bangayan and Khy Cepada, now with UE, and NCAA champion Gayle Pascual from Saint Benilde.

“Not everyone will get absorbed at UST because there’s a criteria that we need to follow because of the tough competition. Some of them go to the NCAA and other schools. The most recent are Bangayan and Cepada,” said Reyes. “Had they stayed, they won’t end up being the players they are now.”

‘Due respect’

The UST coach added that they also recruit players from provinces like Beth Hilongo, Arlene Waje, Ashlee Knop, Johna Ajero, and Freya Elderfield–but did so in the right way by asking permission.

“We also recruit players from other provinces, but we don’t meddle in the grassroots programs of our fellow UAAP teams because we know how to recruit players the right away. This with all due respect to their coaches,” he said.

Despite the controversy, Reyes said UST will continue developing young talent and only ask for players and families to give notices and part ways properly.

“We’re going to let the players go, we just hope they ask permission properly. There’s no reason for them to stay if there’s a loss of trust,” he said.

Reyes, though, wished the player he refused to name–but referred to as the team’s captain, who is believed to be Adrao–well with her new team.

“I hope she does well there—maybe they can give her what we lacked. We’re thankful to the parents who entrusted us with these kids, and that other schools are interested in them,” Reyes added.

“Once upon a time, she was our team leader, our captain. She helped us win bronze. I’ll remember her not for how she left, but how she first came to us, holding her parents’ hands—and how now, she’ll walk out with someone else guiding her.”