NCAA defending champion San Beda is filling in the gap left behind by athletic wing Jomel Puno with a player made from the same mold.
READ: This San Beda Red Cubs high-flyer is taking the Palaro by storm
Andrei Ugaddan, who first made noise in the Palarong Pambansa before starring for the Red Cubs, is getting promoted to the Red Lions, allowing head coach Yuri Escueta to have another long-limbed, high-flying forward in his rotation.
Fil-Canadian Puno bid farewell to the red-and-white last March 16, stating that it was time for him to 'take the next step by competing in new environments.'
The 6-foot-5 two-way weapon won two titles in three seasons in San Beda, as he averaged 6.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in what turned out to be his final year in Mendiola.
Puno's earlier than expected exit came on the heels of Janti Miller's, another athletic wing, transfer to La Salle.
San Beda always has a plan
The good news for the Red Lions is in comes one-time UAAP champion Aldous Torculas, himself a versatile forward, alongside fresher legs in Ugaddan.
READ: Yuri Escueta bet on himself. Now he's a two-time NCAA champ
The 6-3 Ugaddan shone bright in last year's Palarong Pambansa by norming 12.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals before putting up per game counts of 13.5 markers, 9.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 pilfers in his last go-round in the NCAA juniors.
Ugaddan and Torculas join a championship core that still has Nygel Gonzales and Bismarck Lina.
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