GRADUATING UST Tiger Cubs Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding have built strong high school résumés, topped off by the Season 87 championship, which ended UST’s 24-year drought in UAAP juniors basketball.
But résumés can only take them so far in college. That’s why Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Iñigo gave the three a sobering reality check: The collegiate league is a different beast, and they will need to double their effort to earn valuable minutes under veteran tactician Pido Jarencio’s Growling Tigers.
“Mas mahirap na ‘yong makakalaban nila sa college. Mas mabibigat, mas matatanda at mas magagaling talaga mga nasa college,” Inigo told the Varsitarian. “Talagang dapat double or triple pa ‘yong effort nila. Kung paano kami nag-champion, dapat lamangan pa nila.”
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The three players were part of the eight-man rotation Iñigo used in the Tiger Cubs’ Season 87 title run. He has coached the trio since 2023, when he moved to UST from San Beda University.
Iñigo said Buenaflor, Bucsit, and Manding have the tools to be solid rotation pieces for the Growling Tigers, but he wants to see them push for more in the coming months.
“Naniniwala kami na they are ready, pero kailangan nila paghirapan,” he said. “Sila na ‘yong batch na mag-uumpisang makatulong diyan sa seniors.”
“Masaya ako na binigyan nila ng chance ‘yong seniors program natin kasi kailangan nila ng tulong doon.”
The 6-foot-6 Buenaflor, who averaged 12.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his final high school year, will bolster the Tigers’ front line, which currently includes Angelo Crisostomo, Zain Mahmood, Echo Laure and foreign student-athlete Peter Osang.
Buenaflor also has a strong chance to crack Jarencio’s rotation, following the graduation of forwards Christian Manaytay and Migs Pangilinan, and Mo Tounkara’s decision to turn pro.
For Bucsit and Manding — both known for their outside shooting — competition will be stiffer. The Tigers’ backcourt remains crowded, with the likes of Forthsky Padrigao, Nic Cabañero, Kyle Paranada, Ice Danting, Mark Llemit, Geremy Robinson, and Mur Alao all still in the mix.
Manding recorded 8.53 points, and 5.0 rebounds per game, while Bucsit averaged 8.34 points, and 6.37 rebounds for the Tiger Cubs in Season 87.
Iñigo said he hopes to see all three thrive in college as they continue their development
“Keep working hard lang…Magtiwala lang sa sistema. Ginagawa namin kasi lahat ito para sa futures and careers ng mga bata,” he said. “Gagawin naming mga coaches, mula sa amin sa juniors hanggang kina coach Pido, na mailabas namin ang best nila.”
