COMEBACKING University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio is not done boosting the Growling Tigers’ line-up.
UST linked up yesterday with blue-chip rookies Mark Llemit and Jun Melecio for the 86th UAAP basketball tournament set later this year.
“Exciting para sa amin iyong addition nitong dalawang rookies,” Jarencio said.
“Mas lalalim iyong guard rotation namin at mas titindi iyong competition dito,” he added.
Llemit, 18, is a 6-foot-3 winger from Laak, Davao de Oro who led the Tiger Cubs to a Final Four stint in the last juniors’ cage wars.
He averaged 16.27 points, 8.27 rebounds, 2.73 assists, and 2.53 steals in 28 minutes to place 19th in the NBTC high school rankings while helping UST reach the Division 1 semifinals in the Smart-NBTC National Finals.
Melecio, 18, is the younger brother of Converge guard Aljun.
The 6-foot playmaker from Valencia City, Bukidnon is coming off a solid run for La Salle Zobel where he was good for 8.46 points, 2.85 rebounds, 2.15 assists, and 1.23 steals in 20 minutes.
Both are eligible to play for five years for the España-based cagers.
This early, they’re raring to show their real worth.
“Sobrang excited ako kasi dito ako nagsimula. Gusto ko kung saan ako nagsimula, doon din ako sa next level,” Llemit, who follows the footsteps of Kevin Ferrer, CJ Cansino, and Mark Nonoy as former Tiger Cubs who stayed in the seniors’ level, said.
Melecio echoed Llemit’s sentiments, saying: “Gagawin ko lahat dito. Kung paano ko minahal iyong La Salle, ganoon din iyong nafi-feel ko sa UST. Kaya motivated ako na gawin iyong best ko to help UST win as much games as possible.”
Llemit and Melecio joined SJ Moore from Arellano, Fil-Canadian shooter Gabriel Obusan, Rhayyan Amsali and James Una as the new additions to the Tigers.
