RED LIONS POINT Guard Gab Cometa left the den a week after the 2023 AsiaBasket International Championship and is set to join the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers.

After the news of him leaving the Red Lions became public, Cometa was reported to have not been part of the FilOil Ecooil Preseason Cup lineup and the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup.

The 5’9 guard from Cebu affirmed in an interview with GMA Integrated News that he will now be joining the CSB Blazers, “Yes, [I’m] going to Benilde.”

He even expressed that he chose to be part of the Blazers since it is his dream school, “I chose Benilde because ito rin ‘yung dream school ko.” 

Cometa now joins his former teammates in Mendiola, Justine Sanchez and Tony Ynot, at DLS-CSB.  

Before the turmoil of his departure, Caoch Yuri Escueta, head coach of the Red Lions, mentioned that Cometa’s absence was based on ‘financial problems.’ As he states in his interview with Tiebreaker Times, “More of financial ang reason niya for his family, so naiintindihan naman namin.”  

Coach Yuri even mentioned that the team gave Cometa options and time to think about his decision, “Di naman namin siya pinigilan, di naman kami nangpipigil eh, but binigyan namin ‘yung options niya. Sabi namin pag isipan niya mabuti,” said Coach Yuri to Tiebreaker Times. 

During his play in the NCAA Season 98, Cometa left a trailblazing play in San Beda as he garnered 4.63 points, 2.32 rebounds, 2.32 assists, 0.47 steals, and 0.05 blocks per game. 

He was also then expected to be a key player for the team in the upcoming Season 99 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  

Nonetheless, the three former Lions still a have a year of residency with CSB Blazers, hence, they will only be eligible to play with the team by Season 100 of the NCAA.

Photo by Anne Julia Francisco