Add another weapon to the arsenal, as the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (MBT) continues to reload for its coming quest to reclaim the crown.
The Fighting Maroons are adding NCAA Season 101 Juniors Basketball MVP Sean Franco to a core of Rey Remogat, Jacob Bayla, Gani Stevens, and Francis Nnoruka, which will now also feature talented transferees in former UAAP Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre and onetime NCAA Finals MVP James Payosing.
With the beloved ‘Maroon 5’ of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres having completed their last tour, State U’s hopes for continued contention now hinge on fresh faces and even younger legs, including Franco, who was also back-to-back NCAA Juniors Defensive Player of the Year.
“Makakatulong agad sa’tin si Sean kasi nakita naman natin how he led yung Arellano in his last year. Kahit natalo sila sa finals, he didn’t stop working,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
In his last year for the Braves, the 6-foot-2 wing averaged 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists and carried his side to the finals where they put up a fight before bowing to eventual champion Letran.
The 19-year-old Franco will be good to go for UP come UAAP Season 89 later this year and will have full five years of eligibility.
In maroon-and-green, he bolsters a forward rotation that also has Migs Palanca, Migs Yniguez, and Russell Ogana.
The Fighting Maroons are coming off their fifth straight finals appearance, highlighted by two titles in Seasons 84 and 87.
