UAAP champion University of the Philippines remains hard at work for its continued contention with the addition of James Payosing, an NCAA champion and finals MVP.
Payosing - who averaged 9.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in the title series where San Beda won it all in NCAA Season 99 - will be a shot in the arm for the Fighting Maroons come UAAP Season 89 next year, when Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres will all have played out their eligibility.
"Si James yung isa sa mga magme-make sure na magko-continue lang yung laban natin even 'pag tapos na yung mga champions natin ngayon. We are very excited to have him," said two-time seniors and juniors champion coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Monteverde, Abadiano, Alarcon, Felicilda, Fortea, Torres, and Carl Tamayo all came to Diliman after a dominant run in the juniors division for NU-Nazareth School. UAAP Season 88 will be the last of their long and fruitful team-up.
Big game James
The 6-foot-2 guard stepped up when it mattered most in the Red Lions' championship two years ago, as he upped his game in the finals after only norming 7.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in the elimination round.
Aside from his big game ability, Payosing is a workhorse who can make an impact on both ends, making him a perfect fit for Monteverde's system in his two years of eligibility for State U.
READ: Torculas mulling move to NCAA contender after leaving UP
While he serves his one-year residency, UP will protect its throne in UAAP Season 88 later this year led by the likes of Abadiano, Alarcon, and Francis Lopez.
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