The UST Growling Tigers have recruited 6’4” Fil-Australian Royce Mantua to boost their wing positions, which were nearly decimated, following last year’s Sorsogon training “bubble” scandal.
“Royce is a shooting guard/small forward who can shoot threes,” UST head coach Jinino Manansala told the Varsitarian, noting that the new recruit could also play slasher.
During Season 82, UST had a plethora of serviceable wings in CJ Cansino, Brent Paraiso, Rhenz Abando, Zach Huang, whose length had allowed the Tigers to be switchy in defense and stretchy in offense.
Mantua joins another UST newcomer in Jordi Gomez de Liaño, another lengthy forward with shooting skills, in the Tigers’ revamped wing.
“I am a coachable player, apart from being useful on offense I am effective on defense, I have good communication and leadership skills on and off the court and my strongest strength is agility and athleticism,” Mantua said.
Mantua played nine games for the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws in Season 82 and averaged almost three points per game (ppg).
He currently plays overseas for the City of Blacktown Storms Youth in the New South Wales Waratah league, where he is averaging 10.2 ppg. Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr. with reports from John Ezekiel J. Hirro
