NOW comes a stern test for University of Santo Tomas.
The Growling Tigers left the country for Korea yesterday for overseas training.
Coach Pido Jarencio and the rest of the España-based squad will have an 11-day sojourn in The Land of the Morning Calm.
“Unti-unti na naming nabubuo iyong team, pero mahalaga pa rin sa amin na masubukan iyong tatag ng mga batang ito,” Jarencio said. “Nakita namin kung paano sila mag-perform sa practice, pero iba pa rin iyong sa game.
“Magandang challenge ito para sa amin na ipakita nila kung gaano sila ka-palaban,” he added.
UST will play six tune-up games against KBL teams led by Changwon LG Sakers, as well as three of Korea’s top universities while also taking part in a skills training camp.
Nic Cabanero, Adama Faye, and Paul Manalang banner the delegation as the Tigers try to prove their worth against their Korean counterparts.
Rookies SJ Moore and Mark Llemit will also get their feet wet together with Fil-Ams Vince Ventulan and John Abate as they try to make early impressions for UST.
Completing the 16-man roster for this trip are holdovers Ivan Lazarte, Christian Manaytay, Miguel Pangilinan, Jonathan Gesalem, Mark Angelo Crisostomo, Bevir Ivanne Calum, and second-generation players Kenji Duremdes, Kylle Magdangal, and Echo Laure.
Jarencio, together with team consultant Bonnie Tan and team managers Eric Ang and Waiyip Chong, lead the 34-man delegation which will return home on Aug. 9.
