At A Glance
- Fil-American guard Ashley Loon is set for a reunion with Louna Ozar and Camille Nolasco after committing to University of the Philippines ahead of the UAAP Season 89 women's basketball tournament in September.
UP WBT one-and-done player Ashley Loon (UPOASD)
Fil-American guard Ashley Loon is set for a reunion with Louna Ozar and Camille Nolasco after committing to University of the Philippines ahead of the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament in September.
Loon, 21, joins the Maroons as a one-and-done player, reuniting with her former Gilas Pilipinas U18 teammates as UP looks to build on a disappointing Season 88 campaign that saw them finish seventh with a 3-11 win-loss record.
For newly appointed coach Eric Altamirano, Loon’s addition provides an immediate boost on both ends of the floor, with the 5-foot-7 playmaker bringing in familiarity and chemistry with Ozar and Nolasco.
improve their showing on both ends, knowing the 5-foot-7 playmaker had the feel of playing alongside Ozar and Nolasco.
“Ashley gives us another option on offense, and more size na rin on defense. More importantly, makikita natin, hopefully, yung chemistry nila ni Louna and Camille coming from Gilas,” said Altamirano, who is also banking on veterans Kaye Pesquera, Ninay Tapawan, and Achrissa Maw.
The trio of Loon, Ozar and Nolasco helped Gilas Girls in winning the bronze medal at the FIBA Asia Women's Under-18 Championship – Division B in 2022.
Aside from Loon, UP also inserted two more one-and-done players from other schools in Claire Tapinit (Centro Escolar University) and Rica Torres (Rizal Technological University), and Chiang Kai Shek star Ashley Mabazza, who set for her UP debut.
Also bolstering their Final Four bid are recent big additions in 6-foot Kennan Ka and 6-2 Blessing Chuole Francis.
“Excited tayo for all the talent coming in to strengthen yung foundation built by the veterans. Hopefully, mabilis silang maka-adapt and maka-contribute sa atin,” Altamirano said.