MANILA – Manuel Antonio Luis Pablo is headed to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons for college after steering De La Salle Greenhills Greenies to a runner-up finish in NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball.
Pablo, who has roots from Bacolod City, said he did not have a hard time deciding to commit to the Fighting Maroons following his talk with UP head coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
“Naniniwala ako sa program ni Coach Gold,” Pablo said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times. -“Nung nag-usap kami, alam ko mahihirapan ako pero alam ko pong maggro-grow ako as a player at mas mapu-push niya ako as a player.”
“Alam ko na marami pa akong weaknesses sa totoo lang at naniniwala ako sa program niya,” added Pablo, who ended his high school career with NCAA Most Valuable Player trophy.
Aside from the Fighting Maroons, the 6-foot-8 center was also approached by several UAAP schools, including De La Salle University Green Archers and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
Pablo, who averaged 17.64 points, 13.36 rebounds, 1.93 assists, and 1.21 blocks in his final season with the Greenies, is being tipped to replace Carl Tamayo, who left the Fighting Maroons for Japan.
Pablo is also hopeful that his two high school teammates Seven Gagate and Joshua Coronel will join him in the Fighting Maroons camp for college to continue their successful team up.
“Basta magkasama kaming tatlo, automatic na ‘yung chemistry namin. Kumbaga kahit hindi kami magsama ng isang taon tapos maglaro kami, alam pa rin namin yung kaya naming gawin,” Pablo said.
Both Gagate and Coronel were not yet committed but are contemplating to commit to the Fighting Maroons.
“Pipiliin namin yung school kung saan alam namin kung saan kami mag-gro-grow,” said Gagate. “Maganda kasi matagal na kami magkasama, may chemistry na. Ang problema na lang is paano kami mag-grow sa panibagong sistema.”
“To pay respect to our alma mater, alam namin interest din sa amin yung La Salle so probably we will give them a chance to talk to us. We will see after high school,” said Coronel./PN
