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| James Payosing is moving to Diliman after helping bring the NCAA championship back to Mendiola in 2023. UP OASD |
MANILA--The University of the Philippines men's basketball team, the UAAP champion, remains hard at work to maintain its contention.
The team has added James Payosing, an NCAA champion and finals MVP.
Payosing - who averaged 9.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in the title series where San Beda won it all in NCAA Season 99 - will be a shot in the arm for the Fighting Maroons come UAAP Season 89 next year, when Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres will all have played out their eligibility.
"Si James yung isa sa mga magme-make sure na magko-continue lang yung laban natin even 'pag tapos na yung mga champions natin ngayon. We are very excited to have him," said two-time seniors and juniors champion coach Goldwin Monteverde.
The 6-foot-2 guard stepped up when it mattered most in the Red Lions' championship two years ago, as he upped his game in the finals after only norming 7.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in the elimination round.
Aside from his big-game ability, Payosing is a workhorse who can impact both ends.
Thus, Payosing, who has two years of eligibility for State U, is a perfect fit for Monteverde's system.
While he serves his one-year residency, UP will protect its throne in UAAP Season 88 later this year led by the likes of Abadiano, Alarcon, and Francis Lopez.
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