The UST Growling Tigers have added Fil-Australian Elijah Barret to beef up its roster depleted with the departure of key players last year.
Barret, a 6-foot-3 wing, committed to UST after fielding offers from local and Australian schools, Growling Tigers head coach Jinino Manansala told the Varsitarian.
“Ang gusto natin kasi mga malalaking wing and magrerecruit pa tayo ng big man. Sa point guard wala tayong problema, matibay pa din. Kaya yung pinakamalaki na butas yung wing[s] natin,” Manansala said.
Prior to its rebuild, UST had a solid lineup, which included Rhenz Abando, CJ Cansino, and Mark Nonoy.
Barret, a former track athlete, adds athleticism to the UST basketball roster.
“I feel like I’m ready, but there is always room for improvement. If coach Ji needs me to play the forward position, I’d play to the best of my abilities,” Barret told the Varsitarian.
Barret’s most recent basketball stint came when he played for Old School Basketball in the Western Sydney Basketball Association and Basketball New South Wales Youth League Championships.
Barret still resides in Australia and is expected to arrive in the Philippines in January 2022.
