The frontline of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons has gotten taller and more talented.
Big man Carl Tamayo and prolific point Gerry Abadiano will be among the six new members of the Fighting Maroons in the coming 83rd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball tournament.
Fighting Maroons' coach Bo Perasol said he got confirmation of the transfer of the two cagers into the Maroons' roster yesterday.
The 6'7" Tamayo and Abadiano, will be joining La Salle Greenhills' standout RC Calimag next season.
The three used to members of the Gilas national youth team that saw action in 2019 Fiba Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece.
“When the next basketball season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines opens in a Covid-free future, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will have the one-two punch of the Nazareth School of National University in their line up,” said Perasol.
They will join early recruits Xavier School ace Miguel Tan, Fil-Canadians Alonso Tan and Anton Eusebio, Fil-Australian center Ethan Kirkness and Fil-Am guard Sam Dowd in the roster.
UP Men’s Basketball Team manager lawyer Agaton Uvero confirmed to Perasol the decision of the two commit to the Diliman-based dribblers this month.
“Carl [Tamayo] and Gerry [Abadiano] will be a big part of our rebuilding efforts,” Uvero said in an online statement.
The Fighting Maroons have vacancies in Team A after six players graduated last season.
Uvero said they have five more players who have just one playing year left.
And their blue chip recruits will help the team secure their future.
“We hope they will be model student-athletes of UP,” said Perasol after he personally met with the new recruits and happily welcomed the two high school stars to the team.