IT’S all’s well that ends well for Hapee Toothpaste and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion Ateneo.

After ironing out kinks with Hapee Toothpaste’s top brass, Ateneo officials finally gave several of their marquee players the green light to play for the Complete Protectors in the season-opening tournament of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) starting on October 25.

Team manager Bernard Yang revealed on Sunday that Hapee Toothpaste owner Dr. Cecilio Pedro was happy with the decision of Ateneo officials to allow their players to play for his team where they are expected to get the much-needed exposure from the league.

“Dr. Pedro told me that he had already talked to the management of the Ateneo basketball team and its supporters and everything is now okay,” said Yang. “Mabuti na lang naging happy ending ang nangyari.”

Pedro, a long-time Ateneo supporter, Yang and the coaching staff, headed by Gee Abanilla, were surprised by the no-show of Ateneo players during the PBL Rookie Draft on Tuesday.

Ateneo withdrew UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Finals MVP Nonoy Baclao, Eric Salamat, Jeffrey Long, Raymond Austria, Christopher Sumalinog, Jobe Nkemakolam, Jai Reyes and the charismatic leader Chris Tiu because of academic reasons.

Despite the last-minute withdrawal, Pedro remained calm and said: “Ganyan talaga ang buhay.”

Yang said some of the players withdrawn by Ateneo could simultaneously play for Hapee and focus on their studies.

Yang said he will know today from Ateneo sports director Ricky Palou who among the Blue Eagles will be allowed to play.

The longest-serving team manager of the league hinted that Al-Hussaini, Baclao, Salamat and Reyes could be with Hapee for the coming tournament.

Yang is not certain whether Tiu, inarguably the country’s most popular collegiate player, will be playing because the King Eagle had several commitments.

“We would be happy if Chris will join the team, but if he’s busy, we hope he could join us later in the tournament. Iba ang dating kapag may Chris Tiu ka sa team,” said Yang. “He’s a warrior and a winner.”

Abanilla said he’s looking forward to have Al-Hussaini play alongside former MVP Jervy Cruz.

“It’s going to be a deadly force. But right now, my concern now is to form the team ASAP. Konti na lang ang oras,” said Abanilla.

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