The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers will gauge their preparedness for the UAAP Season 86 men’s senior basketball tournament through a series of tune-up games in South Korea.
Growling Tigers head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio stated that the team will depart on Sunday and engage in six tuneup games against Korean Basketball League teams, particularly the Changwon LG Sakers.
Additionally, they will face three of Korea’s top universities and take part in a skills training camp.
“Unti-unti na naming nabubuo ‘yung team, pero mahalaga pa rin sa amin na masubukan ‘yung tatag ng mga batang ito. Nakita namin kung paano sila mag-perform sa practice, pero iba pa rin ‘yung sa game kaya magandang challenge ito para sa amin na ipakita nila kung gaano sila ka-palaban,” said Jarencio.
Holdovers Nicael Cabanero, Adama Faye, Paul Manalang, Ivan Lazarte, Christian Manaytay, Miguel Pangilinan, Jonathan Gesalem, Kenji Duremdes, Kylle Magdangal, and Echo Laure will lead the delegation.
The 16-player Growling Tigers team also includes rookie SJ Moore, Mark Llemit, Angelo Crisostomo, Bevir Ivanne Calum, one-and-done player Vincent Ventulan, and John Abate.
After enduring a dismal 1-13 campaign last season, the Growling Tigers are now experiencing a resurgence in their men’s basketball program, thanks to the sponsorship of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) through Petron.
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