The UP Fighting Maroons have been eliminated from the 2024 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup—but not because they lost.
The University of the Philippines has been officially eliminated from the 2024 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup.
But it wasn’t because the Fighting Maroons, who are undefeated in the tournament, lost against their opponents.
In fact, UP entered the playoffs as the top seed, going unbeaten in eight games.
However, the Diliman-based squad had to forfeit their quarterfinal match against Enderun Colleges due to “conflicts with the players’ classes and examinations.”
“With the pursuit of academic excellence as the priority, the UP Fighting Maroons formally bow out of the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup. The league respects the decision of the team to forego its remaining games in the current Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup to give the players time to focus on their respective academic responsibilities,” read the statement from Pinoyliga.
“In the true spirit of sportsmanship, we extend our hands in solidarity in the quest for academic excellence for student-athletes and in upholding the tenets of basketball rules as we strive to provide quality college basketball to the public, and as the team adheres to the rules of the league in situations of forfeiture,” the statement read.
The Fighting Maroons already announced on Wednesday that they wouldn't be able to play against Enderun Colleges Titans for the quarterfinals this June 5 due to conflicts with classes and examinations.
"Our Fighting Maroons, as student-athletes, must prioritize their acadeic commitments and responsibilities," their statement read.
This wasn’t the first time that UP had backed out from a tournament.
Last month, the Fighting Maroons also sat out the UAAP Season 86 3×3 competition due to injuries.
With this, the Titans will advance to the semifinals and await the winner of the NU Bulldogs vs. Guang Ming Dragons game.