Already a powerhouse in the national collegiate scene, the San Beda Red Lions are set to receive even more talent as it secured the commitment of promising Cebuano youngster John Bryle Bahio of the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers.
Bahio was USPF’s most devastating weapon in their campaign in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) last year, whose efforts was rewarded with a spot on the juniors division prestigious Mythical Five squad alongside MVP
Janjan Jaboneta and Joshua Sinclair of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) and the University of the Visayas tandem of John Escalona and Joshua Flores.
And though feelers were sent Bahio’s way by the likes of Far Eastern University and Cesafi champions Southwestern University, the 16-year-old, who already stands six-foot and three inches, chose the NCAA powerhouse to be his new home.
“San Beda akong gipili kay aside sa nindot ang ilang basketball program, makakuha sad kog maayu na education didto,” said Bahio in an interview with Cebu Daily News on Thursday evening.
San Beda team manager Jude Roque, who personally recruited Bahio, said that he was happy to welcome the versatile cager to the Red Lions fold and added that it will be a few years before he makes his mark in the NCAA.
“We like JB (Bahio). He will be a key player for us in two to three years. He might not be ready for the NCAA this year but next year, I think he can start making an impact for us,” Roque said.
Bahio is the latest young Cebuano cager to commit to a Manila school after SHS-AdC’s Zachy Huang, who will be joining the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the UAAP.
Jaboneta is still undecided although it has been said that he is leaning towards joining the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Bahio admitted he still has a long way to go to get himself ready for the rigorous wars of the NCAA, work that is putting in right now with USPF Baby Panthers head coach Joph Cleopas.
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