By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines added another weapon to its already stacked arsenal after recruiting NCAA Juniors MVP Sean Franco for its redemption bid in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.
On Thursday, March 5, the Fighting Maroons announced their newest addition in Franco, a 6-foot-2 forward who helped power the Arellano Braves to a runner-up finish behind the Letran Squires in the NCAA Juniors Finals.
His presence would be a boost for the State U which now banks on Noy Remogat, Francis Nnoruka, Jacob Bayla, and Gani Stevens as the school’s renowned “Maroon Five” in Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Janjan Felicilda, and Reyland Torres already completed their playing years.
Franco, 19, also joined UP’s newest faces in UAAP Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre (Far Eastern University) and fellow NCAA product and Finals MVP James Payosing (San Beda).
UP chief tactician Goldwin Monteverde, who guided the Diliman-based squad to the Promised Land twice (Season 84, 87) and five consecutive finals appearances, has high hopes for Franco after seeing the latter’s performance for Arellano in the championship round despite yielding to Letran.
“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, .
The Cagayan de Oro native is also expected to flaunt his defensive prowess, a skill that helped him haul two straight Defensive Player of the Year awards in the junior ranks of the grand old league.
Franco, who listed 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his final year as a Brave, is eligible to suit up for a full five-year stint with UP.
