UST adds two more Fil-Ams including ex-pro John Arigo's son


At a glance

  • John Abate and Jason Suba have joined the Growling Tigers on Wednesday, July 26, as the renaissance continues in España after securing the support of San Miguel Corporation.


Two more Fil-Ams have committed to University of Santo Tomas, boosting the future of its men's basketball program.

John Abate.jpg
John Abate (center) with UST Growling Tigers coaching staff. (Photo courtesy of UST Growling Tigers Media)

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John Abate and Jason Suba have joined the Growling Tigers on Wednesday, July 26, as the renaissance continues in España after securing the support of San Miguel Corporation.

Abate is a 6-foot-1 guard from Orange Park, Florida, who played two years for Spring Hill College and averaged 6.5 points on 39-percent shooting from deep, to go with 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the 2021-22 season for the Badgers.

He is the son of eight-year PBA veteran John Arigo, who played for Alaska, Coca-Cola, and Barako Bull.

Abate will have two years of eligibility left in his collegiate career.

Suba, on the other hand, will still have four years left after transferring from Kean University.

The 6-foot-2 winger played for Team United USA in the 2023 NBTC National Finals and racked up 11.0 points and 3.7 rebounds.

Both will undergo residency and will fight for their roster spot starting in UAAP Season 87.

"Nadadagdagan yung mga materyales natin dito sa UST, so importante para sa amin na mas mailabas pa yung galing nila para rin makatulong sila sa atin," said coach Pido Jarencio.

UST is aiming to crack the Final Four for the first time since 2019 with Nic Cabanero and Adama Faye expected to lead the charge this season.