Despite tempting UAAP offer, USC spiker to remain a Warrior

USC spikers James Dalton Montante (left) and Jeffrey Alicando (right). (Contributed photo).

FOR NOW, University of San Carlos (USC) middle blocker Jeffrey Alicando will remain a Warrior.

The 19-year-old Ormoc City native told Cebu Daily News he received an offer to play for University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) powerhouse Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons after being noticed in the Philippine University Games last October in Dumaguete City. He said a member of the Adamson coaching staff noticed him and teammate James Dalton Montante.

Incidentally, it was the Falcons who eliminated the Warriors in the UniGames. USC was off to a hot 3-1 (win-loss) start in the tournament and looked headed for the title only to fall against the more-experienced Falcon team via four-set thriller, 25-17, 25-23, 21-25, 25-16, in the playoffs.

Despite the enticing offer, Alicando said he will stay and try to help the Warriors win a title next year.

“I will stay for now because my goal is to help USC win the championship next season,” Alicando said. “I also owe it to my coach, who helped me pay in school.”

Alicando, however, is not closing his doors on Adamson but said he needs to grow and improve first before making a decision.

Meanwhile, the Butuan City-native Montante, who is set to graduate in March 2017, said he is likely to pursue a higher degree to be able to play for the Falcons.

What’s holding him back, though, is an injury in his left ankle, which he got last summer that resulted to him playing off the bench this season.

“I’m thinking of going there this summer to take a second course. Maybe, Masters in Business Administration,” said the Bachelor of Human Resource Development Management student.

Should things fall into place, the 20-year-old Montante will be playing in the 81st season of the UAAP in 2018 yet due to the one-year residency rule of the league.