Two products of the vaunted FEU program will reinforce ABL neophytes Kaohsiung Truth
Workhorse Raymar Jose and floor general Achie Inigo, both UAAP and PBA D-League champions, have been tapped to join Kaohsiung Truth in its 2016-17 ABL campaign.
Even though both cagers are expected to have big responsibilities for the struggling Taiwanese club team, both Jose and Inigo are seeing this opportunity as a way to further hone their craft.
“Para sa akin, para makatulong sa improvement ko. Ma-iimprove ko pa laro ko,” said Jose, who is part of the UAAP Season 79 Mythical Five team.
“Lalo kaming mas mag-iimprove. At siguro mas competitive kasi soyempre ibang ibang lugar yan. Kami sanay kami sa UAAP, sa D-League, iba pa rin talaga pag ABL,” added Inigo, who was drafted as the 36th overall pick, 24th in the regular 2016 PBA regular draft.
Jose led the FEU Tamaraws to a third place finish in the recently-concluded UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball tournament. He averaged a double-double with 11.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in 28.2 minutes of court time.
In his final year with FEU last 2015, Inigo started 12 of FEU’s 16 games, posting norms of 5.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Both cagers were also pivotal members of the Phoenix Accelerators in the 2016 PBA D-League season. The Accelerators won both the Aspirants and Foundation Cup.
The two Filipinos could not hide their excitement about this new opportunity bestowed upon them.
“Grab the opportunity kasi naman lahat ng player nabibigay ng opportunity ng ganito. Cherish the moment at work hard lang talaga ako,” Inigo said.
“Excited ako kasi iba iba na kalaban mo dito eh. Excited lang. Gusto ko lang mag improve dito,” Jose furthered.
Jose and Inigo will be the Truth’s second and third Filipino reinforcement. Mikee Reyes was tapped by the Taiwan-based club team in their second game of the season.
Raymar Jose and Achie Inigo are expected to make their debut on Sunday, December 11 when Kaoshiung Truth take on Alab Pilipinas at the Olivarez College Gym in Paranaque City.
