Former FEU big man Reeve Ugsang ditches USC, decides to play for rival SWU
After a week of training with the defending Cesafi champions University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, former Far Eastern University (FEU) big man Reeve Ugsang has decided to switch camps and transfer to rivals Southwestern University (SWU).
The sudden change of heart by the 6-foot-5 big man has put a wrench into the Warriors’ preparation for the new season which tips off next month, while bolstering a Cobras frontcourt that already welcomed back Bernie Bregondo and former University of San Jose-Recoletos import Quintin Nzusi while acquiring talented workhorse Darwin Barte from the University of Pangasinan-Phinma.
Ugsang, who made a name for himself playing for the University of the Visayas (UV) in high school, said that he chose to transfer to SWU because some of the conditions that he set before transferring to USC weren’t met. He chose not to divulge what those conditions were.
However, a source inside the Warriors camp with knowledge of the situation shared with Cebu Daily News that those conditions included allowance provisions and a living space.
“The school can only provide an allowance that is uniform across all players. Anything above that will have to come from the sponsors,” said the source, who added that Ugsang’s transfer came as a shock to the team and officials as he even joined the team’s beach outing last weekend.
RIGHT AT HOME
“He was with us during the team’s beach outing. But on Monday, he just informed the team that he was already transferring to SWU,” the source said.
Ugsang already started practicing with the Cobras last Tuesday, and the big man mentioned that he felt right at home there.
“I like it here especially since most of the players already have a lot of experience, unlike in USC where most of the team is young and inexperienced,” shared Ugsang.
“I like the challenge of playing every day against the likes of (Bernie) Bregondo and (Darwin) Barte. They’re crafty and I can go right at them. I will learn a lot practicing with them.”