ILOILO City – Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix backup center Ricarlo Samiel Po is continuing his high school basketball career in Manila with the Mapua University Red Robins.
Red Phoenix head coach Vincent Conlu confirmed the decision of the Ilonggo big man to the Red Robins, where he will still have two more years of NCAA juniors basketball eligibility.
“Ricarlo is one of our hardworking players at Hua Siong. Even if his minutes are not that heavy since he is our off-the-bench big, he always makes sure to be ready when I put him in the game,” Conlu told Panay News on Tuesday.
Conlu added that Po has initially committed to play for the University of the East Junior Warriors but the Ilonggo center left the squad after the school opted to make a change in the coaching staff.
“Actually, he first committed to play for UE’s high school basketball team, but nung nagkaroon ng changes sa coaching staff, he was not chosen and opted to leave the team,” Conlu said.
“Sa totoo lang, parang naging blessing in disguise din kasi kapag sa NCAA siya maglalaro, he is still good for two more years unlike kapag nasa UAAP siya is one-year lang siya eligible,” he added.
The 6-foot-2 Po, who has been practicing with the Red Phoenix for over a month now, is the seventh member of the Red Phoenix team to be recruited to play in Manila-based schools recently.
Po’s teammate Karl Nonoy of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental has been recruited by NCAA-based team De La Salle Greenhills Greenies, while Aklanon Yuan Reyes is to play for Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates in NCAA collegiate tournament.
Thomas Pillado, Ricky Murillo, Matt Laurence Acosta and Roy Malaga, on the other hand, have committed to play for Nazareth School of National University Bullpups in UAAP juniors.
“Seeing our players getting recruited in Manila just gives the Hua Siong coaching staff more energy and determination to develop more talents and give them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams,” Conlu said./PN
