APART from the bizarre transfers, rules adjustments, and mainstays maturing on the court, UAAP Season 87 features a deep roster of new faces entering the men’s basketball scene.
Ready to make their presence felt, these standout rookies share the same goal of repaying their respective teams’ trusts as they test the waters in the collegiate stage.
Let’s take a look at the top rookies for each team entering the collegiate wars which kicks off on September 7!
DLSU – Doy Dungo
Graduating as a juniors’ mythical five member, Dungo has found a home in the defending champions’ system and culture.
“Grabe yung winning tradition dito, gusto nila manalo every game. Before and after games and practices, may extra drills, mahirap pero binibigyan namin ng chance ‘yung sarili naming mag-improve,” Dungo said.
Learning from the likes of Kevin Quiambao, Joshua David and Michael Phillips among others, Dungo hopes to be able to fully adjust to the seniors’ play physicality and help La Salle keep the crown.
“Importante para sakin yung andyan sila KQ, sila kuya Michael (Philips), lagi nila ko ginaguide para di mawala kompiyansa ko kahit alam nilang mahirap yung magiging adjustment.”
UP – Jacob Bayla
Taking his talent to the Philippines, this California Valley Christian High School standout only had less than three months to prepare for his debut, but being part of a team overflowing with talents, that didn’t seem like a problem for Bayla.
“Playing all these tune-up games in Serbia, Korea, and Taiwan really made me feel the culture, and learned to fit in the team as time progresses. I’ve found my role, and I know my place in the team, and what I have to do,” he said.
NU – Justine ‘Tebol’ Garcia
Eyed as a key replacement for Kean Baclaan, “Tebol” hopes to bring his champion mentality from the Adamson Baby Falcons, as he looks to be the piece which finally sends National University over the semis hump.
“Sinet ko lang is makatulong sa team, sa defense lalo, kasi defense muna kailangan naming bago maka-opensa,” he said. “Tapos yung winning attitude ko na natutunan nung high school, sana madala ko sa seniors.”
Garcia added: “Ineexpect ko na magdodoble kayod talaga kami kasi pagpunta ko palang dito sinabi na samin na walang star, pantay-pantay kami lahat, at lahat magsisikap.”
FEU – Veejay Pre
The former Baby Tams star still bleeds green and gold with the FEU Tamaraws.
The 6-foot-5 wingman may be eyed as the next ‘Mac Belo’ of his batch, but for Pre, he’d rather take things slow as he continues to learn the bits and pieces of seniors’ play.
“Expected ko na na mahihirapan ako sa una talaga pero nireready ko lang sarili ko to adjust, and andyan naman mga kuya ko para i-guide ako. Kahit papaano, ang laki ng kompiyansa sakin ng team, kaya hindi ko bibiguin yung tiwala nila,” he said.
UST – Amiel Acido
Big things are expected out of the NCAA 99 juniors most valuable player, but Acido is happy to be part of the team where he’s allowed to move around and experience adjustment without pressure.
“Mag-enjoy lang sa rookie year while I’m adjusting sa system namin, I made the right choice, mababait kasama ko, caring and very welcoming. And dito sa UST, mahuhulog ka kaagad sa school na to, grabe yung support ng community,” he said.
For Acido, though, getting himself better always comes from within.
“Goal ko lang is to get better everyday, every game, marami akong gustong matutunan, and tulad ng bilin ng coaches, we’ll take it one game at a time,” he added.
UE – Nico Mulingtapang
Ready to take on a leadership role as UE’s point guard, Mulingtapang, a former Red Robin, had a few months to prepare for his UAAP debut. Part of the job is filling in for Noy Remogat and he’s all for it.
“Mabigat ang pressure kasi iba ang atmosphere and fans [compared to NCAA], nireready ko sarili ko dun. Gusto ko lang din suklian yung tiwala na binibigay nila coach sa akin kaya ready ako to take the big role na naiwan niya [Remogat], goal naming makapasok sa final four, and personally, dream big ako, rookie of the year,” Mulingtapang said.
Ateneo – Jared Bahay
“Forced to mature” is how Bahay described his transition for the past few months, and he’s not complaining.
Bahay, who’s hailing from Ateneo de Cebu, liked the challenge Tab Baldwin is giving him.
“Being in a young team, I’m forced to mature agad, it’s going to be a tough season, but I need to be a leader, and I’m ready for that,” he said. “Gusto ko makatulong sa team, mabigyan ng championship ang Ateneo sa stay ko.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
