Ex-UV gunner Tristan Albina moves to UC

When the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters took the floor in their very first game in the Minglanilla Mayor’s Cup Inter-Collegiate Christmas Basketball League last Saturday, a familiar face was seen donning the yellow and blue.

In a move many did not see coming, two-time Cesafi three-point shootout champion Tristan Albina of the University of the Visayas (UV) has transferred to the Webmasters camp, bolstering an already-loaded backcourt that is being led by Darrell Shane Menina, Paul Galinato and John Jabello.

With foreign player Frederick Elombe and several others already gone from the team, UC is slowly rebuilding its team and found the perfect guy to replace long-time sentinel Justine Dacalos, who has already exhausted his playing eligibility.

And in his first game with UC, the Dumaguete City-native impressed, scoring 18 points to lead UC past the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 72-68.

Though nothing yet has been set in stone with regards to his transfer, Albina shared that he feels comfortable playing for UC, the long-time rival of his former school UV, who he helped to titles in 2016 and 2017.

“I like the team because it’s not a one-man show and they distribute the ball well,” said Albina.

The 5-foot-10 guard added that in spite of the loaded backcourt UC already has, he has had not problem adjusting since the players he shares perimeter duties with are “pass-first” players. He also said that he enjoys being looked to on the offensive end of the floor.

UC’s acting head coach, Rafael “Rocky” Alcoseba, welcomed the arrival of Albina, saying that it is just what the doctor ordered for their squad.

“Tristan’s arrival brings us outside shooting which we clearly lacked last year. It opens up the floor more for players like John Jabello. He also brings a veteran leadership, since our team is still young,” the son of head coach Yayoy Alcoseba said.