‘Heartbreaking’: Athletes, personalities bid farewell to ABS-CBN Sports

Athletes and other media personalities expressed their support for ABS-CBN after the media giant shut down its sports division on Thursday, June 16.

ABS-CBN – which became the home of local and foreign leagues such as the UAAP, NCAA, and ONE Championship – was forced to sign off as a result of Congress’ decision to deny the renewal of the network’s franchise.

The shutdown was announced a day after ABS-CBN announced it would lay off employees by the end of August. (READ: ABS-CBN Sports shuts down amid massive staff retrenchment)

Former Ateneo Lady Eagle and host Gretchen Ho shared photos of the ABS-CBN S+A team, while volleyball stars Alyssa Valdez and Kat Bersola extended their love and thanks to the network’s sports arm.

That's it. ABS-CBN Sports officially signs off. Love you fam @abscbnsports thank you for everything.

Photos from @moki_doki pic.twitter.com/LP8ESDxANf

— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) July 16, 2020

…. kasama ko sa pagtupad ng aking mga pangarap

Maraming salamat, @abscbnsports!

— Alyssa Valdez (@AlyssaValdez2) July 16, 2020

Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng oportunidad at sa lahat ng tulong sa iba’t-ibang sports at atleta sa ating bansa, @abscbnsports ❤️💙💚😔

— Katherine Bersola (@KB08_) July 16, 2020

Veteran skippers Denden Lazaro, Majoy Baron, and Sisi Rondina also acknowledged the impact of ABS-CBN Sports to Philippine volleyball.

Aside from collegiate action, the network also aired professional and international volleyball tournaments like the  Premier Volleyball League and the 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix.

This is heart breaking. I will forever be grateful to ABS-CBN Sports. Volleyball won’t be the same. Life won’t be the same. Thank you for everything @abscbnsports. Keeping the @abscbnsports family in my prayers. https://t.co/0jnt0zhgUV

— Dennise Lazaro (@denniselazaro) July 16, 2020

This makes me so sad 😢
Thank you @abscbnsports for bringing the sport volleyball and us athletes to where we are today 😭💔💚💙 https://t.co/cbHzGvnJtx

— MaJoy Baron (@majoybaron) July 16, 2020

Mahal namin kayo dami nyong natulungan katulad ko at sa mga atleta! Maraming Salamat sa lahat 🙌🏻 @abscbnsports ❤️💙💚

— Cherry Ann Rondina (@Rondina011) July 16, 2020

UAAP basketball players also rallied behind the embattled network. UP’s Ricci Rivero called the news ”heartbreaking” while NU’s Shaun Ildefonso appreciated the opportunities ABS-CBN Sports opened up for him.

Heartbreaking 😔 Just like in any sports 🤷🏻‍♂️ the game may be over but your legacy remains forever 💯 Thank You @abscbnsports 💙💚❤️

— Ricci Rivero (@_ricciiirivero) July 16, 2020

Mark my words. THE UAAP WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. PHILIPPINE SPORTS IN GENERAL. @abscbnsports gave so much opportunities to me and my fellow athletes. 😞

— Shaun Ildefonso (@ShaunIldefonso) July 16, 2020

Most affected by the devastating news, of course, are the hardworking people inside and outside the corners of the network’s studio.

Sportscaster Boom Gonzales shared a statement, thanking everyone who worked with him in the company. Host Martin Javier and former courtside reporters like Tricia Robredo also bid farewell to ABS-CBN Sports.

https://twitter.com/gamedaywithboom/status/1283708336723001345

Absolutely wrecked. Sana panaginip lang ang lahat ng ito. Thank you for the best 4 years of my life, @abscbnsports 💔💚💙 pic.twitter.com/MohVJ7tlej

— Martin Javier (@martindjavier) July 16, 2020

7 years ago, I was given the opportunity to live out a dream I never thought I had. Thank you for taking a chance on me and for giving me some of the best years of my life, @abscbnsports. I can’t believe this is happening. 💔💚💙 pic.twitter.com/ZOPVocXU5N

— Tricia Robredo (@jpgrobredo) July 16, 2020

Even journalists from different networks and platforms threw in their support. Sports anchor Chuck Araneta sympathized with the talented people who lost their jobs in the shutdown while longtime broadcaster Sev Sarmenta called it a “sad day for sports and broadcasting.”

https://twitter.com/chuck_araneta/status/1283711973297762306

https://twitter.com/sportssev/status/1283715980997337088?s=20

ABS-CBN Sports has been delivering quality content from television to their online platform over the years. It will officially fold on August 31. – Rappler.com