Mason Amos apologizes to Ateneo for shocking La Salle transfer

Gilas Pilipinas prospect Mason Amos breaks silence on his controversial transfer from Ateneo to rival La Salle after just one season, admitting he was not “considerate” to his team and the school community

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle new recruit Mason Amos finally spoke at length about his surprising transfer from the Ateneo Blue Eagles to their rival Green Archers on Friday, July 5, four days after he finalized his move.

“It’s been a tough week with a decision I made for my own reasons. However, my actions were unacceptable and unjustified,” he wrote on X. “Although I mentioned the offer to management, they were not informed of my final decision nor my teammates as I felt it was a personal decision for me and my family.”

“I apologize, however, for not being as considerate. I apologize to my teammates, coaches, community and alumni for my actions and acknowledge a mistake that could have been handled better.”

Amos, once considered the centerpiece of an Ateneo program already suffering from a talent exodus, stunned the Blue Eagles community not only by transferring to its arch-rival after just one UAAP season, but by doing so abruptly, drawing mixed reactions from the local basketball scene.

Until his transfer, the 19-year-old forward had been training with his teammates and taking part in pre-season tournaments and camps abroad, showing little sign of a radical change in his priorities.

La Salle came calling, though, and the 6-foot-7 Amos now finds himself arguably the crowning jewel of a loaded batch of ’88 transfers that includes standout guards Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez.

The young Australian player, currently a member of the historic Gilas Pilipinas squad that is battling for the 2024 Olympic qualifying tournament in Latvia, now finds himself at the heart of a rekindled rivalry between Ateneo and La Salle, which only guarantees an even more hostile arena environment in 2025.

“I don’t expect forgiveness, but I just hope for understanding. I love Ateneo and I wish it the best,” Amos concluded. – Rappler.com