ANOTHER bullet is in the chamber for San Beda's title defense reload with the commitment of De La Salle Zobel star guard Maco Dabao.
“I was really weighing my options on what school can give me the best opportunity and San Beda was very clear with what they have planned for me and my future,” Dabao told SPIN.ph.
“I feel I will have more opportunities and I will be able to grow as player and as a person being under this program. And I am excited for what the future holds.”
Dabao enters the lion’s den as a UAAP Season 88 Mythical Team member and the No. 2 player in the NBTC's annual rankings of the top 24 under-19 players in the Philippines.
READ: Maco Dabao now living his dad's dream with breakout year for DLSZ
The 5-foot-11 playmaker wrapped up his time with the Jr. Archers by averaging 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 steals, all while leading the green-and-white to its first Final Four in nearly a decade.
Animo, still
And after deliberating his options which also included at least two UAAP schools, Dabao's desire to improve himself on and off the court is what lured him to the NCAA defending champions.
“It’s for my whole development as a person, not just as a basketball player. They were focused on the values that the sports teach, and I thought that it is what I needed moving forward in my career,” he added.
The 18 year old bolsters a backcourt rotation that features Nygel Gonzales, Penny Estacio, and Calimag brothers RC and Ricci, as the red-and-white tries for a back-to-back even without all of Janti Miller, Yukien Andrada, and Jomel Puno.
“I have the same goals I had for Zobel last season: to be the best player and teammate I can be. I just wanna do my best to help the team and having Nygel, Penny, RC, and the others, for sure, they will be there to guide me,” he said.
Dabao will be good to go come Season 102 and will have full five years of eligibility for the Red Lions.
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