Abadiano, Tamayo commit to the University of the Philippines

Old Maroons and soon-to-be new ones. From L-R: Bright Akhuetie, Ricci Rivero, Bo Perasol, Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Agaton Uvero

From Sampaloc to Diliman.

The University of the Philippines continues to stockpile recruits with the commitment of two youth standouts on Friday.

Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano acknowledged that they will attend the Diliman-based campus on Friday, with UP Men's Basketball Team manager and Nowhere to go but UP's Atty. Agaton Uvero confirming the move.

With the commitments secured, Uvero shares, "Carl [Tamayo] and Gerry [Abadiano] will be a big part of our rebuilding efforts. We graduated six players last season and we have five more players who have just one playing year left. These two will help us secure our basketball future. We hope they will be model student-athletes of UP."

Bo Perasol personally met both players, happily welcoming them to the squad. The head coach adds, "We are very happy to have Carl and Gerry in our team. Coming straight out of high school, they have five full playing years with the team. They will really be a big boost for our young team which is again in the process of rebuilding."

Both Tamayo and Abadiano are set to graduate from Nazareth School of National University this year, and the decision to go to UP centered on their preference in valuing education and how the school takes care of its student-athletes academically.

Carl shares, "It’s one of my dreams na makapag-aral sa UP. Education is one of my reasons for picking the school and siyempre ‘yong basketball program din." The big man will take up Bachelor of Sports Science. He averaged 12.5 points, 10.38 rebounds, and almost a block per game in the eliminations.

Gerry adds, "Sobrang saya kasi siyempre tulad ng sinabi ni Carl, dream school ko rin ang UP. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa paglalaro. ‘Yong napili ko rin dito is education. Kapag natapos na [ang basketball], di natin masabi ano mangyayari. Ang importante ay maganda ang tinapos namin." The guard is set to take up BS Tourism. He averaged 11.27 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.33 assists, and just over a steal per game.

The incoming freshmen will join a bumper crop of recruits tasked to bring the Fighting Maroons back to the finals after falling short last season. Recent commits to UP include Miguel Tan of Xavier Tan, Canada-based Alonso Tan and Anton Eusebio, Australia-based Ethan Kirkness, graduate transfer Sam Dowd, and fellow youth standout RC Calimag.