San Sebastian College-Recoletos star Paeng Are, the league's top scorer after the elimination round, remains uncertain whether he'll be back for his final playing year next season with the Stags.
"No comment pa ako diyan," Are told reporters on Saturday after helping the Stags overcome San Beda University to end their NCAA Season 100 campaign.
Are was the key cog for San Sebastian's roller coaster run in the centennial season.
Averaging a league-best 17.88 points per game, Are helped the Stags rack up six wins, including impressive back-to-back victories against Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Lyceum of the Philippines University to start their season.
San Sebastian, however, failed to sustain the momentum moving forward after enduring eight straight losses as the Final Four hope slowly faded for the once-hot Golden Stags.
Still, Are beamed with pride after seeing his team pour everything in every game while earning the respect of the league and the community.
"Proud lang ako sa teammates ko, sa mga coaches ko, [at] sa journey namin this season na kahit hindi kami pinalad sa Final Four, proud pa rin ako sa kanila," Are added.
"Ginawa namin best namin every game, kinakapos man pero sobrang happy ako na kasama ko lahat at natulungan ko sila."
With Are still undecided, San Sebastian coach Arvin Bonleon said their core will remain intact with Raymart Escobido and Reggz Gabat the only graduating players from the roster.
"Meron naman kaming naka-prepare sa spots nila pero magiging main guy ko siguro next si [Nikko] Aguilar at kung andiyan si Paeng [if babalik siya], and si Migs Pascual at Maliwat."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
