MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP surprisingly and shockingly announced six winners in the Mythical Selection of the juniors tournament that ended with National University being crowned champions.
Named to the five were Ateneo’s Kai Sotto and Forthsky Padrigao, Adamson’s Joem Sabandal, FEU’s RJ Abarrientos, and UST’s Mark Nonoy and Bismarck Lina.
Controversy aside, the naming of UST’s Nonoy and Lina is huge for several reasons.
With the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas rebuilding its basketball program across the board, it is good to see some of their high school players move up and contribute.
In 2011, Kevin Ferrer moved up from the Tiger Cubs to the Growling Tigers and had a terrific career in the seniors. Then came a drought until these past two years when CJ Cansino bagged Juniors MVP honors in Season 80 and had a great rookie year until a knee injury knocked him out; one that could possibly keep him out even of Season 82’s roster. If he does make it, the question is — will he be the firebrand Cansino everyone knows?
This Season 81, there’s Nonoy, who was recruited out of Hua Siong College of Iloilo during the Palarong Pambansa two seasons ago, and Batang Gilas veteran Lina, who transferred from Chiang Kai Shek College to UST two years ago.
Incidentally, Lina is the first cousin of Kevin Ferrer.
It is a triumphant season for both. Nonoy showed his wares prior to this UAAP campaign in the Breakdown Basketball League where Lina came away with Finals MVP honors as UST took home the Under-17 championship.
Said Tiger Cubs head coach Bonnie Garcia prior to the start of the recent UAAP Juniors tournament, “Mark Nonoy and Bismarck Lina give us a chance to compete in every game. We have to make sure the others do their part.”
It is especially sweet for Lina, who after the SEABA Under-16 championships, was left out of the Fiba U-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China. He was reinstated for the FIBA U-17 World Cup in Argentina last June.
Lina’s BBI MVP Award was his first ever individual award of his career. And now he has his second.
Speaking to UST seniors coach Aldin Ayo after the end of his first year at España, he bared that one reason why he took over the Growling Tigers program was to ensure a seamless transition from the high school to college level. “Our plan is to develop the players in the high school level and make sure they move up to our college team. And of course, to hold on to our players.”
Several years ago, the Tiger Cubs lost Inand Fornillos to La Salle Greenhills while Kobe Palencia, who was also discovered two seasons ago during the Palarong Pambansa, also made the jump to the Greenies at the end of UAAP Season 80.
“We owe it to the school and the alumni to build a strong program,” added Ayo at the start of this juniors campaign. “It is a process but we remain committed.”
And it looks like the future is bright for UST.