The trio Josh Coronel, Seven Gagate and Luis Pablo were welcomed to the team in Nowhere to go but UP’s Facebook page on Friday afternoon, March 17.
LSGH standouts Coronel, Gagate, Pablo commit to UP men's basketball team
At a glance
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are hitting the mark in their recruitment as three standouts from La Salle Green Hills have confirmed their commitment to the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball champion.
It will be an exciting future for the UP Fighting Maroons with the addition of three standouts.
The trio Josh Coronel, Seven Gagate and Luis Pablo were welcomed to the team in Nowhere to go but UP’s Facebook page on Friday afternoon, March 17.
The highly sought players just recently competed in the recently concluded NCAA juniors basketball where LSGH lost to Letran in a sweep of their best-of-three finals series.
"Their accomplishments on the court are well documented, but what has really impressed us is their character and maturity," said UPMBT director for operations Bo Perasol.
"We feel extremely blessed to have Luis, Josh, and Seven on our team."
Not only the three players made name for themselves in the juniors, with Pablo being hailed as the NCAA juniors MVP and Gagate being included in the Mythical Five, but all three have been members of the Gilas U-18.
Coronel, for his part, had to sit out last season’s action due to an ACL injury.
The Fighting Maroons, who are fresh off three straight finals appearances and a championship in Season 84, are reeling from the departure of their big man in Carl Tamayo, who has struck a two-year deal in Japan B.League with the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Earlier this year though, UP has also announced the commitment of Francis “LeBron” Lopez to the team to further bolster their lineup in Season 86 later this year for a redemption campaign.
UP head tactician Goldwin Monteverde that the addition of the three rookies "have the potential to contribute to the team's efforts to remain competitive next season."
"It all boils down to hard work. If all of our rookies take their cue from the veterans and work hard, our team will do well,” said Monteverde.