De La Salle University secured the commitment of one of the brightest Filipino prospects in Australia last Sunday.
Six-foot-four swingman Jared Abadam is set to join the Green Archers for the upcoming UAAP Season 84 tournament next year.
What made the 17-year-old swingman go to La Salle was the “family” vibe the team has.
“What made me decide to go to La Salle was they made me feel like family when I got to talk with them,” Abadam told Tiebreaker Times as he was able to meet head coach Derrick Pumaren and some members of the team last Sunday through Zoom.
“My coach Rey Racuyal [AusPinoy] introduced me to them so I’d like to thank him also.”
Another school that tried to recruit Abadam is San Beda.
The young Fil-Aussie had been watching the UAAP growing up, saying that he was amazed by Ricci Rivero, who played for La Salle from UAAP Seasons 79 and 80.
With La Salle now under a Pumaren, he said that he is excited to learn from him, saying that his new mentor’s trademark defense is “matindi.”
Abadam is set to graduate from Westfield Sports High School this year. Once he does, he will immediately fly home to the Philippines and join La Salle.
“Once I graduate or once the borders clear up, ready na for La Salle,” he said.
The Fil-Aussie is no stranger to Philippine basketball as he played for AusPinoy back in the 2018 NBTC National Finals. Since then, he believes he has gotten stronger and more mature.
Abadam can’t wait to don the colors of La Salle as he will be the first in his family to do so. His dad Ruperto played for Mapua before while his mom Jennifer is a graduate of Polytechnic University.
Other recruits of La Salle during the extended off-season are Deschon Winston, an Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Deo Cuajao, CJ Austria, Emman Galman, Benjamin and Michael Phillips, Paul Turco, Ice Blanco, Raven Cortez, and Aaron Buensalida. Grade 11 student-athletes Kevin Quiambao and Jonnel Policarpio also committed to joining the Green Archers.
