Former Growling Tigers Brent Paraiso and Ira Bataller are close to finding a new home.
The two are set to complete their transfer from University of Santo Tomas to Colegio de San Juan de Letran, multiple sources closely monitoring the situation have told Tiebreaker Times.
Just like their former captain CJ Cansino — who only had days to complete his transfer to University of the Philippines two weeks ago — Paraiso and Bataller needed to decide quickly on where they would transfer, as the enrollment for the first semester of school year 2021-22 was about to close.
“May kaunting documents na lang na kailangan ma-submit,” said one of the sources, who requested anonymity.
The addition of the two will be a huge boost for the Knights’ NCAA Season 97 campaign.
Paraiso, a 22-year-old swingman who stands at 6-foot-2, was pivotal in UST’s second-place finish in the UAAP Season 82 tournament. He averaged 7.2 points on 32-percent shooting from deep to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
Tiebreaker Times has also confirmed that Paraiso will still have two years of eligibility in the NCAA.
Though he sat out Season 81 to serve residency following his transfer from La Salle to UST, the NCAA Management Committee will not see it as a deduction of a playing year for as long as Letran notifies them of it.
On the other hand, Bataller, who had 14 starts for UST last season and averaged 1.88 points, 2.88 rebounds, and 1.12 assists, still has his three years intact as he is just 21 years young.
The 6-foot-4 big man will be a huge boost for Letran’s frontline as Larry Muyang, Christian Fajarito, and Jeo Ambohot are set to play their final years come Season 96.
At Letran, Paraiso and Bataller will join a crack lineup headed by Season 95 Finals MVP Fran Yu.
Paraiso and Bataller left UST after returning from the Bicol bubble. Paraiso was part of the first batch that came back to Manila last August 19, while Bataller arrived in Manila last Sunday.
