MANILA – With their shot at redemption set to begin early, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers has no time to sulk for falling short in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball finals.
Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo said blue chip recruits are underway for his team. These include Capiznon wingman Christian Manaytay who is good to go for Season 83 after serving his residency this year.
He had long targeted Manaytay, a product of Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, but the latter chose to commit to the De La Salle University Green Archers two years ago.
“Kung ano ‘yung mga kulang namin ngayon, ‘yun ‘yung tatrabahuin namin. May mga recruits kami at potential recruits,” Ayo said. “Mayroon pang mga hindi sikat, low-key pero magfi-fit sa sistema namin. Papagalingin namin sila.”
He added: “Si Christian Manaytay galing ng De La Salle University. Kulang kami sa big e. Saktong natabunan siya ng mga one-and-done nila. He left La Salle and transferred to us.”
Aside from Manaytay, also coming in for the Growling Tigers next year are Paul Manalang, a former National University Bullpup and Bryan Samudio who is from Mapua University.
“We always want to improve. Last year, we ended up sixth. This year, we made it to the Finals,” said Ayo, who won championships in NCAA and UAAP with Letran Knights and Green Archers, respectively.
“Our mindset is, even if we made it here in the UAAP finals, madami pa kaming kulang at dapat trabahuin. We’ll make sure na ‘yung experience namin, matututo kami,” he added./PN
