Former and Current Collegiate Stars React to the Shut Down of ABS CBN

There are two things that are currently rocking the Philippines right now: the continuous onslaught that is brought about by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and most recently, ABS CBN's compliance to the cease and desist order of the Nationa Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that was brought about by the company's legislative license lapsing its allowed date earlier this week. While the employees of the company are going to feel the impact of the order by the NTC, Filipinos, too, are impacted as ABS CBN has been the country's biggest broadcasting network and their reach goes beyond news and public affairs. And yes, among the impacted branches of the network is ABS CBN Sports which has been the home to the country's collegiate sports that saw collegiate athletes transform from star players for their respective teams to phenomenal players in Philippine sports. 

Many of the country's talented stars in sports didn't hesitate to express their support for the broadcasting company as one of the company's channels that have been forced off the air is Sports and Action (S+A) which covers the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), among other leagues in the country. Stating that the network hasn't only helped them in getting the exposure that they needed during their college years but also brought them closer to their fans,

Among the brightest stars in Philippine sports to express their support is Alyssa Valdez whose rise as the Queen Phenom of the Ateneo Lady Eagles was watched through S+A. Valdez, in a short but meaningful tweet, used three-broken hearts emojis to express the sadness she and probably everyone else is feeling over what many believe is an attack to freedom of the press. And she wasn't the only former Ateneo and UAAP athlete who went to Twitter.

Gretchen Ho, a former Lady Eagle and now a host in S+A pointed out in a tweet that the fight is for the athletes who were given a better future just because the company endlessly supported them. Another Ateneo player in Mark Espejo tweeted that "he believes" there's still tomorrow while using the photo with the title of the movie, "May Bukas Pa" written on his TV screen.

Ricci Rivero of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons said that he "stands" with ABS CBN who covered all of his games and saw everything from his triumphs to his heart-breaking defeats. Shaun Ildefonso of the National University Bulldog, as well as the host of a digital show with the company, said that they will be back. He also called on to defend press freedom stating that many are affected by the company's compliance with NTC's order.     

With the uncertainty that is brought about by the ongoing pandemic, one can only hope and pray that ABS CBN will be able to get back into the lives of Filipinos. After all, they believe that they are in the service of the Filipino. Worldwide. 

Photo is from Volleyverse