EVEN as FEU-Diliman is about to do battle in the UAAP Season 88 boys' basketball finals, the Baby Tamaraws are also already facing stiff competition for the services of its key cogs.
According to what team insiders privy to matters within the green-and-gold shared with SPIN.ph, FEU's signature strong pipeline from high school to college will be tested by at least two UAAP rivals.
While sources opted to withhold the names of players in question, they described them to be top talents who have the size and skillset to be very much primed to be key contributors in the next level.
And while these blue-chip recruits will always have going from Baby Tamaraws to the Tamaraws among their options, quite a few complications have arisen.
First is prioritizing the needs of their families, which also figured in the transfer of former Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre from FEU to the University of the Philippines.
Another is how the mix of players on the seniors squad, where multiple Fil-Am players, such as one-and-done Neil Owens, have had an effect on homegrown players.
Nonetheless, chances are never zero for the Tamaraws, especially with several former Baby Tamaraws aready comprising the core of coach Sean Chambers' outfit, including Seniors MVP Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa.
READ: MVP just one step in Cabonilas' final destination for FEU-D
As of now, however, the players have pressed pause on talks on their commitment, as FEU-D charges to the championship round opposite NU-Nazareth School. - Andrei Barrantes
Kwekuteye almost a Road Warrior
QUO vadis, James Kwekuteye?
The third-year guard out of San Beda suddenly found himself in limbo following his trade to Converge from Phoenix just before the start of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
Kwekuteye was no longer given a contract extension by the Fuel Masters shortly after the Philippine Cup, and was ready to move forward, especially after one team expressed interest in having his services should he ultimately become an unrestricted free agent.
The ball club? The NLEX Road Warriors.
“Nagustuhan siya ni coach Jong [Uichico],” shared a source with SPIN.ph.
The 27-year-old Fil-Am actually liked the idea of going to NLEX, especially after a short conference stop during the All-Filipino with Phoenix, which acquired him in a trade with Titan Ultra for big man Ato Ular.
"Nagta-try out na nga yan sa NLEX," said the source.
But with the Fuel Masters still having a one-month grace period to make a tender offer on him, the team rationally traded his rights to the FiberXers rather than letting him go away without getting something in return.
In the trade, Converge acquired Kwekuteye in exchange for rookie guard Tony Ynot.
Unfortunately, the young guard wasn’t lined up by the FiberXers, who obviously have a loaded backcourt with the presence of star rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, the returning Mikey Williams, Alec Stockton, newly-acquired Kurt Reyson, MJ Garcia, and Archie Concepcion.
As for the Road Warriors, the same source said their roster has likewise been filled up just before the start of the midseason conference following a trade that saw Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal landing with the team, while sending Jonnel Policarpio and Javee Mocon to Converge.
“Napuno na rin yung lineup. Sayang gusto talaga siya (Kwekuteye) ni coach Jong,” said the source. - Gerry Ramos
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