NEWS that teen sensation Andy Gemao has reached a deal to play for the University of the Philippines Maroons in the UAAP next season broke out three days ago.
That his reported choice was UP didn't come as a surprise, considering the 6-foot-1 high-flyer already played for the Maroons in the Pinoyliga last summer. What surprised was the detail about Gemao joining the school in its UAAP title defense next season.
Here's what we know:
Sources told SPIN.ph that Gemao and his camp indeed had a verbal agreement with UP officials, led by Bo Perasol, and top backers Gov. Jonvic Remulla and Pato Gregorio, to play for the Maroons in the UAAP.
However, Gemao's move to UP is not cast in stone, since the 17-year old's focus remains on his dream to break through in the US, which he has fervently chased since leading the Letran Squires to an NCAA juniors championship.
'A lot of moving parts'
That's the reason Gemao has spent the last year in North America attending training camps and playing games on the side. Last August, it was reported that he is set to play for a top high school program in Canada, where his family has moved.
Based on that alone, sources said there are still a lot of moving parts in Gemao's move to the UP Maroons camp. The same sources added there will be no certainty about this 'till next summer, when Gemao comes home to play in the NBTC again.
"Marami pa mangyayari d'yan," said an insider.
Bahay U-turn a cautionary tale
Meanwhile, UP officials are hesitant to talk about the Gemao deal on the record. In fact, they aren't too happy that news on the former Letran juniors star's verbal agreement to play for the UP Maroons broke out at this time.
Their apprehension is understandable. Remember when UP itself announced it has secured Jared Bahay's commitment to play for the Maroons in 2023, only for the Cebuano guard to make a U-turn and play for Ateneo instead?
That's why.
Is Gemao worth the hype?
But if he indeed ends up playing for the UP Maroons, insiders believe he will be a real game-changer for the school's title defense, especially since two-time champion and finals hero JD Cagulangan is leaving campus.
For one, Gemao, as a high school transferee, can immediately play for UP. Second, he can play as much as five seasons with the Maroons if he so chooses. Third, league old hands believe that in terms of skills set, Gemao has the potential to make a bigger impact on the program and in the league than a CJ Cansino or Ricci Rivero.
So with Gemao teaming up with fellow transferee Rey Remogat, the Maroons backcourt can more than hold its own against a stacked La Salle guard rotation to be led by Kean Baclaan and Jacob Cortez next season.
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