The Philippine Sports Community has shown their deepest sympathy for employees working for ABS-CBN Sports and those affected by its forced shutdown.
For many years, ABS-CBN has been home to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA), the Premier Volleyball League, and foreign leagues such as the NBA.
Its shutdown as part of its mother company’s wide-ranging job cuts has drawn reactions of disbelief.
Karen Davila is one with the others who are feeling devastated and heartbroken for ABS-CBN sports in general.
My heart cries out to ABSCBN Sports 💔 goodbye… hopefully, for now 🙏🏻 https://t.co/tWgQseSh26
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 16, 2020
Gretchen Ho thanked her ABS-CBN Sports family.
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
Boom Gonzalez shared he has been lucky and blessed even up to the end of ABS-CBN Sports.
https://twitter.com/gamedaywithboom/status/1283708336723001345
Martin Javier is absolutely wrecked right now.
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
Shaun Ildefonso says the UAAP will never be the same again.
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
Dennise Lazaro said the shutdown is heartbreaking yet she is thankful to ABS-CBN Sports.
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
Tricia Robredo can’t believe it’s happening.
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
University Of the East bid farewell to ABS-CBN Sports.
Farewell, ABS-CBN Sports. 🥺
— One UEast (@UEastWarriors) July 16, 2020
While Adamson University revealed UAAP will never be the same without ABS-CBN Sports.
UAAP will never be this big without @abscbnsports 😭😭😭
— Team Adamson Falcons (@AdamsonFalconsU) July 16, 2020
Kenneth Natividad urged every fan, athlete, or fellow Kapamilya whose life was touched or changed by the network to share their story.
If you’re a fan, athlete, or fellow Kapamilya whose life was touched or changed by @abscbnsports share your #ThankYouABSCBNSports story.
S+A changed my life and I will forever be proud knowing that while the company was not perfect, our department was the best at what we did 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/zhUrstg1BG
— Kenneth S. Natividad (@kennatividad) July 16, 2020
Denice Dinsay is one proud ABS-CBN sports court-side reporter.
We are @abscbnsports, in service of the Filipino sports fans. Kapamilya always and forever ♥️💚💙 pic.twitter.com/Ae7S46Cgbk
— Denice Dinsay (@dnicednsay) July 16, 2020
Ricci Rivero said that ABS-CBN’s legacy will remain forever.
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
Even personalities from other sports-media outfits expressed solidarity with the sports broadcaster.
Never been on your team, but I always respected your game. Will miss seeing you guys out on the field.
Nothing but love to everyone at @abscbnsports.
— Paolo del Rosario (@paodelrosario) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/chuck_araneta/status/1283711973297762306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1283711973297762306%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.abs-cbn.com%2Fsports%2F07%2F16%2F20%2Fdevastated-athletes-ph-sports-community-react-to-abs-cbn-sports-shutdown
ABS-CBN Sports built thousands of young people's dreams, including mine. Didn't know there's such thing as online and broadcast sports journalism until I came across them. So sorry.
— Kate Reyes (@reyezkate) July 16, 2020
If it were not for ABS-CBN Sports, I would not have pursued journalism.
Thank you very much for giving me the chance to learn and grow as an individual.
My heart goes out to all those affected by this senseless loss of livelihood https://t.co/dfljbWzNXn
— Philip Martin Matel (@philipptionary) July 16, 2020
18 years ago, @abscbnsports took a chance on a bunch of kids who were armed with nothing but love for sports.
This is where it started.
And this is not the end for the current crop of passionate and talented people.
Still don’t have the words.
Just…
❤️💚💙 pic.twitter.com/F5n32JDRto— Cesca Litton-Kalaw (@CheckLit) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/sportssev/status/1283715980997337088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1283715980997337088%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.abs-cbn.com%2Fsports%2F07%2F16%2F20%2Fdevastated-athletes-ph-sports-community-react-to-abs-cbn-sports-shutdown
The UAAP and NCAA wouldn’t be close to what it is today if not for @abscbnsports and the many talented and admirable people who work there. I hope this isn’t the end. ❤️💙💚
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/apppledavid/status/1283756024743239681
ABS-CBN Network announced on Wednesday that it will cease the operations of some of its businesses and lay off workers effective August 31, following the non-renewal of its broadcast franchise.
Its sports unit is among those that will be affected, with Dino Laurena, Head of Integrated Sports, confirming the rumors.
“The final buzzer,” he said. “So ends this journey… I made the painful announcement to our beloved Sports team today.”
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is now officially in search of a new home.
Days after the bid of its broadcast partner ABS-CBN for a new franchise got junked by the House of Representatives, the booming amateur league is out to find a new network according to Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
“Yes, the MPBL is open to TV networks with the best offer,” Duremdes said after meeting with Manny Pacquiao to decide on the league’s next move.