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MANILA, Philippines — College of the East coach Jack Santiago can’t wait to see what his new recruits can supply when the host crew kicks off its marketing campaign in opposition to the College of Santo Tomas within the UAAP Season 86 males’s basketball event opener on Saturday at Mall of Asia Area.
Regardless of shedding the core of the Purple Warriors final season, Santiago is elated along with his retooled roster with key additions Devin Fikes and Jack Cruz-Dumont teaming up with holdovers Noy Remogat and Abdul Sawat.
“I’d say we’re so excited as a result of the recruited gamers, they’re all eligible already,” mentioned Santiago. “However we can’t simply take it straightforward as a result of different groups additionally recruited gamers they usually’re doing good additionally.”
“All of the groups ready very properly, particularly this low season. Lots of our groups went outdoors the nation. As this 12 months’s host, we are going to attempt to do our greatest to offer our college and the group a very good season,” he added.
The Purple Warriors parted methods with brothers Nikko and Kyle Paranada, Gani Stevens, and PBA rookie Luis Villegas.
However the UE coach, in his third season, is assured along with his present wards, who’re hungry to rise from a sixth-place end final 12 months with a 5-9 report.
“I see my gamers they’re hungrier than final 12 months. Hopefully, we are going to come out with a very good season this 12 months,” Santiago mentioned. “Everyone knows that we misplaced a variety of gamers final season however we have been capable of fill in these voids with new recruits.”
“We’re doing a variety of modifications now to maximise our new gamers. In fact, the underside line right here is we have to play as a crew,” he added.
The Purple Warriors shall be examined in opposition to the Growling Tigers, who welcomed again veteran coach Pido Jarencio after 10 years, as their college kicks off their internet hosting festivities at 12 midday earlier than their recreation.
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