MANILA – John Bismarck Lina was the eighth player to bolt out of University of Santo Tomas (UST) men’s basketball team following his commitment to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Lina, a former standout of UST Tiger Cubs, admitted that it was a hard decision for him to leave the Growling Tigers, but the school’s uncertainty after the infamous “Sorsogon Bubble” forced him to do so.
“Mahal ko ang UST,” Lina said in an interview with Rick Olivares. “Ang hirap umalis. Masakit and napakahirap nitong desisyon na ‘to. But I have to help myself. I wish UST the best.”
Lina will be a huge boost for his new team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84, Fighting Maroons head coach Dolreich Perasol told Panay News.
“Bismarck is going to be part of the Season 84 team. A young man with great fighting attitude and potential,” Perasol said. “We’re checking (if pwede siya lumaro sa UAAP Season 83). Pero we also agreed na UAAP Season 84 na siya lalaro.”
Aside from Lina and Cansino, others who departed UST were Rhenz Abando, Ira Battaler, Brent Paraiso, Mark Nonoy, Deo Cuajao, and Ferdinand Asuncion./PN
