University of the Philippines finalized the acquisition of Bismarck Lina on Monday afternoon from the troubled University of Santo Tomas squad.
UP coach Bo Perasol said Lina, a product of the UST junior team, would be a great addition to the Maroons in the future season.
“Bismarck is going to be part of the Season 84 team. A young man with great fighting attitude and potential,” Perasol told Manila Bulletin.
The development will also reunite Lina with former Tigers teammate CJ Cansino.
However, the former UST big man would have to sit out of the upcoming Season 83 for a one-year residency.
Lina, 19, is the latest player to leave the Tigers’ lair after the team has been put into the spotlight following former UST coach Aldin Ayo’s decision to hold a training bubble in his hometown Capuy, Sorsogon during quarantine.
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Cansino was the first to leave UST after he was reportedly removed from the squad.
Ira Bataller, Brent Paraiso and Rhenz Abando also left to join Letran, while Jun Asuncion moved to Mapua. Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao went to La Salle.
A former member of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth squad, Lina committed to UST last February until the training bubble controversy ripped the Tigers apart.