MANILA – Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix big man Yuan Reyes is set to take his talents to Manila after recently committing to play for Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates for college.
The Makato, Aklan-native Reyes has accepted the invite of Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan to join the squad for the upcoming NCAA men’s seniors basketball competition.
“Yuan was personally recruited by coach Gilbert kasi nakita niya naglaro sa isang exhibition game sa Aklan. I believe he will a huge addition to the Pirates team,” said Hua Siong head coach Vincent Conlu.
According to Conlu, the 6-foot-4 Reyes played for one year with the Red Phoenix and was part of the squad that ruled the WVRAA Meet secondary boys basketball in Iloilo City.
However, the Aklanon big man opted not join the squad in the Cluster Meet in Cebu City last month, voiding his spot in the Hua Siong team that will represent Western Visayas in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City later this month.
“I was still hoping na he will play for one more time with Hua Siong but he decided to turn his focus on Lyceum Pirates since NCAA is just around the corner and we are supportive of his decision,” Conlu said.
“I am personally happy as his head coach that he was recruited to play in Manila. Yun lang naman ang dream ko as a coach, to see my players accomplish their dreams in Manila,” he added.
Reyes is the sixth member of the Red Phoenix team that was recruited to Manila after Karl Nonoy of De La Salle Greenhills Greenies and Thomas Pillado, Ricky Murillo, Matt Laurence Acosta and Roy Malaga of Nazareth School of National University Bullpups.
Reyes will likely take over the spot of Ilonggo forward Omar Larupay, who has already finished his collegiate eligibility with Lyceum and is now playing for Iloilo United Royals in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Reyes will also join his fellow Western Visayas-based player in the Pirates roster in Bacolodnon Renly Lanz Bayquin and incoming rookie John Philip Panganiban, who is also from Aklan./PN
