UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas gets to keep all of its homegrown studs, as Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, Carl Manding, and Alfred Loreto have committed to the Growling Tigers.
Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Iñigo confirmed the development on Saturday, ensuring the pipeline from the high school ranks to the collegiate level, with the Growling Tigers brass set to finalize the move on Monday.
Buenaflor, a 6-foot-7 forward who was ranked fifth in the NBTC's annual rankings of the top 24 under-19 players in the Philippines, anchored the Tiger Cubs to the UAAP Season 87 boys basketball crown with averages of 11.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals.
Bucsit, a 6-foot-2 swingman, has proven himself as one of the league's lethal shooters by dropping 8.7 points on 33-percent clip from deep, on top of 3.43 boards and 1.43 steals.
Manding, a 6-foot-3 winger and a former Gilas Pilipinas Youth member, nabbed 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, as he also earned his place in the Manila Showcase this past 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals.
Loreto missed the whole championship run after undergoing brain surgery, but made his triumphant return in the Tiger Cubs' semifinal drive in the Philippine national 19-under championship.
Bolstering the black-and-gold
Their arrival reinforces a strong future in Espana, all the more with coach Pido Jarencio gearing up for a strong surge in Season 88 with this being the final seasons for Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao.
Even after Cabañero and Padrigao play their last game in black-and-gold, a loaded lineup featuring Gelo Crisostomo, Amiel Acido, and Mark Llemit will remain with the incoming Tiger Cubs.
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