In sympathy with basketball coach Ariel Vanguardia, who was fired by Jose Rizal University recently, the school’s best player and this year’s NCAA Most Valuable Player John Wilson will forego his final year with the Bombers.

The 6-foot-1 Wilson, who set the league’s scoring record of 48 points early this year, said he was hurt by the school’s decision to sack Vanguardia – his coach of three years.

“Partly, iyon ang rason (of passing up his final year with JRU). Medyo nagtatampo ako (with JRU management),” Wilson said. “Coach Ariel gave us 16-4 win-loss record. And that was the first time the school achieved that feat.”

The school sacked Vanguardia after he failed to bring the Bombers back to finals this year although the Bombers made it to the Final Four and lost to eventual champion San Sebastian in the semifinals.

Last year, under Vanguardia, the Bombers made it to the finals but lost to the San Beda in their best-of-three championship series, which extended the school's title drought to 38 years.

Although Vanguardia, who also steered the Bombers to three Final Four appearances, had better than average record in his four years as coach, the school’s decision to replace him showed the urgency placed by the university to end the title drought.

Vanguardia was replaced by ex-PBA star and former King Bomber Vergel Meneses the other day.

“I love my school pero sabi ko nga, we have to move on with the changes,” Wilson said.

Wilson averaged 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals during the NCAA's 18-game elimination round this year.