MANILA (UPDATED) — Mason Amos’ transfer from Ateneo de Manila University to De La Salle University produced a lot of mixed reactions from players from the Blue Eagles' side.

READ: Mason Amos bids Ateneo goodbye

Amos' move, which comes after the Filipino-Australian spent his rookie year in Katipunan, is not unprecedented though it is still rare.

Former Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Former UAAP MVP and Ateneo superstar Kiefer Ravena himself made the jump — albeit his was from La Salle Green Hills in elementary to Ateneo in sixth grade until college — but he said that there are differences between his and Amos' situation.

"Neutral lang ako," the older Ravena said on the sidelines of Strong Group Athletics' training at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday when asked about his reaction to the development.

"Wala pang social media noon. Pero [yung transfer ko], malaking tulong ‘yun kasi bata pa ako, so nung lumipat ako from La Salle Green Hills to Ateneo, kinuha ako as a scholar. Nung panahon na ‘yun, malaking bagay na ‘yun. Nakapag-save sila for Thirdy [Ravena] and sa sister ko. That's why I made that move, and nangyari din siya sakin at one point in my life," added Ravena, who was one of the first elementary basketball scholars of ADMU.

However, the former Gilas Pilipinas guard understands that making that jump will indeed get a lot of hostile reactions.

"Siyempre, there will always be a lot of emotions involved. Pag dating sa school, it's pride. Yung loyalty mo nandoon. When you transfer from one school to another, there will always be things that will be said, feelings will be hurt, and bridges burned," said the "Phenom."

Still, he is opting to understand Amos' decision.

"With Mason, as much as I'm an Atenean, he has to make moves for his own career. For all the other players, I'm sure they are all preparing for a bright future ahead of them whether they stay in one school or move to another," said Ravena.

"I'm not the one to judge wherever they're coming from. ‘Di ko naman alam yung story kung bakit sila lumipat. I'm just there to support their careers, especially the younger generations. Kung ano yung sa tingin nilang ikakabuti ng career nila, then why not," he added.

"I made the move also, maybe on a bigger scale, from one professional league to another, because I want to grow, and maybe that's what Mason is also thinking."

"But then again, in the world of social media, once you put it out there, it's always open for different interpretations. So whether some people like it or some people won't, once you put it out there, you gotta be ready with everything that comes with it," he added. 

Meanwhile, Dave Ildefonso and Geo Chiu offered a different perspective.

Former Ateneo big man Geo Chiu. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

"Siguro like how everyone feels right now, masakit siya. Medyo may cut siya sa akin," said Chiu, who played with Amos in Ateneo's Final Four campaign in Season 86.

"But ako, I just try to be in the middle. I get the other side, but I also understand, si Mason."

"There's so much he's going through right now, but siyempre bilang kuya, worried pa rin ako sa kanya. But yun nga, masakit pa rin po talaga siya. 'Di mo siya ine-expect eh," he added.

Former Ateneo standout Dave Ildefonso. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

On the other hand, Ildefonso -- who also transferred from one school to another during his time in the UAAP -- explained how Mason could have burned bridges due to his decision.  

"Ang daming nagpo-post. For me, hindi ako pwede magsalita kasi galing akong NU [National University] tapos nag-Ateneo ako. Baka ma-bash ako na parang ipokrito naman," said Ildefonso, who played for Ateneo in high school, then saw action for the Bulldogs for two seasons before transferring to Ateneo in January 2020.

READ: Why Dave Ildefonso is returning to Ateneo

READ: Baldwin credits Ildefonso for seamless transition to Ateneo

"Syempre wala naman akong problema doon sa move kasi as a player ikaw pa rin magde-decide kung saan ka maglalaro and what you wanna do, and syempre the best opportunities for you and your family," he explained. 

"My only problem lang talaga is kung totoo ‘yung hindi siya nagpaalam. Kasi ang liit kasi ng world ng basketball eh. As a 19-year-old na nasa Gilas ngayon, it's a pretty early age to be burning bridges." 

A source with knowledge of the situation told ABS-CBN News that Amos left the Blue Eagles without first informing the coaching staff. His now-former teammates appear to have been caught off-guard as well, with some of them reportedly unfollowing Amos on social media.

"Pero I think, he can try and fix it naman eh. It's not really irredeemable naman in a way. Mason's a good kid and he's a good player. Yung ceiling niya talaga is really high. He's in the Gilas team for a reason," said Ildefonso of Amos.

"I don't think yung recent happenings is a reflection of his character. I think he's a good kid and player. I think people are reacting that way lang din because of the school that he went to. With all the rivalry [between] Ateneo and La Salle, syempre they are gonna react that way which is understandable naman," he added.