NU offers psychological aid for Lady Bullpups, support for family after Ashlyn Abong death

The NU Lady Bullpups push through with their participation in the BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational Tournament in Taiwan to honor Ashlyn Abong

MANILA, Philippines – In a bid to keep things tight after the shocking death of Gilas Girls standout and Lady Bullpup Ashlyn Abong, NU provided psychological aid for its women’s basketball team and support for her grieving family, school president Renato Ermita Jr. said. 

According to Ermita, the school gave the Lady Bullpups a psychological briefing ahead of their BLIA Cup University Basketball Invitational Tournament campaign in Taiwan.

Abong was training with the team for the tournament inside the campus on Friday, June 27, when she suddenly collapsed. 

She was 18 years old. 

“We did some guidance (to the players). We had our psychological support for all members of the squad for this,” Ermita told Rappler on Monday, June 30, during the UAAP and Cignal ceremonial partnership signing in UST. “All the players were there. It was really for them.”

Despite the tragedy, the team still flew to Taiwan on Sunday, June 29, with the hopes of honoring her, Ermita said. 

“The rest of the team still left for Taiwan yesterday. It was a competition where she was supposed to be a key player. So yes, we’re there to support them, especially we know this is hard for them,” he said. 

“It’s heavy because they’re grieving. We can’t expect them to be able to adjust right away. Even with a competition right in front of them. I think we have to give them time and draw inspiration when the season starts for the UAAP. We’re praying for the family, but we’re also praying for the players.”

NU also pledged support for Abong’s immediate family through its Lady Bullpups management and the student’s insurance with the university. 

“The team management is supportive in all aspects and, likewise, of course, as a student. She, as a student, of course, has insurance with us. So we’re helping in whatever way we can. But we’re supporting each other coming into the institution and the team management,” Ermita Jr. said. 

Abong was supposed to graduate from senior high school over a week after her death. 

According to Ermita, the school will still give her diploma to the family when their graduation rites commence. 

“She was also supposed to receive her high school diploma. So we will give it to her. I talked to the parents and we will ask them to attend and receive her diploma on her behalf,” he said. 

Playing as power forward and center, Abong made a mark in NU’s high school basketball program, averaging 11.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in a silver-medal finish in UAAP Season 87. 

She was also a staple in the Gilas Girls program, playing in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B.

“We have a healthy athlete with a very bright future faced with a sudden occurrence like this. So it really is painful for the whole institution,” Ermita said. – Rappler.com