UNIVERSITY of the Philippines has formally completed the transfer of Fil-Am big man Gani Stevens.
The 6-foot-7 Stevens suited up for University of the East in the last UAAP cage wars before deciding to move to the Fighting Maroons and beef up a young rotation of big men after reigning MVP Malick Diouf winds up his last year.
“We already love what we have right now with, sina Francis, Seven, and Luis,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said.
“Adding another young, hardworking center in Gani will certainly give us more versatility in our frontcourt as we continue to build our program in the seasons to come,” he added.
Monteverde’s frontline includes graduating Diouf and newcomers 6-foot-5 Francis Lopez, 6-foot-8 Seven Gagate, 6-foot-7 Luis Pablo, 6-foot-5 LA Andres, and 6-foot-9 Sean Alter, as well as 6-foot-4 Aldous Torculas and 6-foot-5 Mark Belmonte.
They will be joined by the wide-bodied Stevens who was good for 9.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists as a starter in his lone season for the Red Warriors. He will be eligible to see action for three years for the Maroons.
UP lost nine players, including Carl Tamayo, Zavier Lucero, and James Spencer this off-season.
Giving a peek behind the curtain of their pre-season plans, UP basketball program director Bo Perasol said their loading up on talent was made to ensure their continued contention even with players’ changing priorities.
“Nagiging bihira na lang ang players na tinatapos ang five years sa college ngayon, so we want to be prepared whenever one of our players plays well tapos gets offers sa international o sa pro,” Perasol said. “We’re happy and proud sa nangyari kay Carl, siyempre. At the same time, we have to be secured din sa programa natin.”
Added team manager Atty. Agathon Uvero: “We’re excited to add another promising talent in Gan. We’re sure that he can contribute to the winning tradition we’ve established and hope to continue.”
