Arvie Poyos’ basketball dreams have taken him from Kidapawan, North Cotabato, to the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Now with the Fighting Maroons, Poyos will have the opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage as UP competes in the 2nd Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) Championship this August in China, serving as part of the team’s buildup for his first UAAP season.
Poyos starred for the Jose Maria College men’s basketball team for three years, eventually catching the attention of UP, which has emerged as one of the UAAP’s powerhouse programs in the post-pandemic era after winning two championships in the last five seasons.
“Siyempre, unang-una, nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoon po dahil kung wala Siya, hindi ako makarating dito sa Maynila,” said the 5-foot-9 playmaker.
“Sobrang blessed po ako and thankful po ako sa mga coaches and sa mga kaibigan ko dito — sina James Payosing, (Rainer) Maga, (Sean) Franco. Di ko na maisa-isa, pero siyempre nagpapasalamat ako kasi sa awa ng Diyos, noon parang pangarap ko lang ito. Ngayon, makakalaro na ako sa ibang bansa,” he added.
In the AUBL, the premier pan-regional intercollegiate basketball league, UP will test itself against some of the best university teams in Asia and Oceania, with participating schools from host China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, and Australia.
The Fighting Maroons have been drawn into Group B alongside Japan’s Hakuoh University and Korea University. The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the knockout stage.
For Poyos, his fighting spirit is rooted in his provincial upbringing.
“Excited po ako dahil alam naman natin na pag taga-probinsya, lalaban talaga ’yan. Ipapakita ko lang po yung best ko doon. UP Fight!” said Poyos ahead of the AUBL, which will be held from August 2 to 9 at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou.
Poyos is expected to bolster UP’s backcourt alongside graduating veterans Noy Remogat and Rainer Maga, junior Jacob Bayla, and fellow rookie Joaquin Tovera.
With two years of UAAP eligibility remaining, Poyos hopes to use the AUBL as a measuring stick for his development as UP’s future floor general.
“Marami rin akong naadjust ngayon dahil marami pa po akong dapat iimprove as a point guard and as a team player.”
