Former Cesafi Mythical 5 forward Conrad Catapusan is tranferring to UP. | contributed photo Ron Tolin
Cebu City, Philippines — After making it to the UAAP finals last season, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons are not resting on their laurels as they continue to stockpile on talented hoopsters from the south with the recruitment of former Cesafi Mythical Five forward and ex-Adamson Falcon Conrad Catapusan to their fold.
A talented 6-foot-3 forward from Mandaue City, Catapusan is the latest player to have ties to either Cebu or the Cesafi to join the up-and-coming hoops program of UP.
He will be joining the likes of former Cesafi juniors MVP, Janjan Jaboneta, former Ateneo de Cebu forward Pio Longa and ex-University of the Visayas standout Jun Manzo.
After seeing just 10 minutes per outing and averaging a mere 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game with Adamson in UAAP Season 81, Catapusan felt that it was high time for a change.
It was then he asked for help from Cebu-based skills coach, Michael Cenabre, who guided him through the process of transferring schools.
“I really did not know why they wouldn’t utilize me over there. Sayang lang if I would stay there and they still wouldn’t use me. I think it would be better if I go to a team where they want me to play,” said Catapusan, who made it to the Cesafi’s Mythical Five in 2016 after leading the University of San Carlos (USC) to the finals.
Catapusan’s choice to transfer was greatly helped by the fact that his parents wanted him to earn a diploma from UP.
The forward has already been seeing action for the Fighting Maroons in a number of tournaments ever since he made the move to Diliman earlier this month. He shares he feels comfortable with his new surroundings.
“It feels great, feels like home since the coaches are great and helpful. I also have teammates here who I am already close with like Jaydee (Tungcab), Pio, Janjan and Jun who are all helping me learn the system.”
Catapusan shares that he hopes to have a hand in the resurgence of UP’s basketball program, which already flaunts the likes of Gilas Cadets Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero and reigning UAAP MVP, Bright Akhuetie.
“It feels like both a privilege and challenge. I must work harder to earn a spot sa roster especially since they already have a very talented team. And of course, it’s a privilege since it’s UP.” /bmjo