The graduating trio from the championship-winning batch of the UST Tiger Cubs gave head coach Manu Inigo a birthday gift he’ll never forget.
After much thought, Charles Bucsit, Carl Manding, and Koji Buenaflor—who all played pivotal roles in UST’s first UAAP Boys’ Basketball title in 24 years—have officially committed to stay with the school for their collegiate careers.
With all three fulfilling their promise to remain in España, no one was prouder than the birthday celebrant himself.
More than the personal milestone, Inigo expressed joy in seeing his long-term vision come to life: nurturing young talent who will eventually bolster the Growling Tigers under head coach Pido Jarencio.
“Very happy ako and blessed na the boys will be staying in UST. Malaking regalo ng boys sakin ito and to the whole UST community. Sana matuloy-tuloy pa namin ang pag-ganda ng program sa UST,” Inigo told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sana they’ll keep working hard and continue enjoying the game we love. Huwag intindihin ang sinasabi ng iba and just give their best all the time,” he added.
Among the trio, Buenaflor received the most offers, having entertained recruitment meetings from all of the country’s ‘Big Four’—Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, and UST—before ultimately choosing to stay in the Tigers’ Lair.
The 6-foot-6 center, who averaged 11.38 points, 7.92 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.69 blocks per game during UST’s championship run, shared that it was the school’s culture—on and off the court—that gave them the edge.
“Naging madaling choice yung pagpili sa UST kasi after three years, dito ako naglaro at nag-grow ako lalo both as an athlete and as a person. Maganda naman pinakita nila sa pag-aalaga ng player, mula rito kila coach Manu sa juniors tapos hanggang college. Nakikita ko rin yung similarities nila coach Manu at Pido pagdating sa coaching style at coaching staff. I think mas magiging komportable ako at mas magiging feel at home ako, unlike maninibago pa ako at aanuhin ko pa yung culture ng ibang school,” Buenaflor said in an exclusive interview.
“Para sa akin, yung culture talaga ng UST ang nag-stand out. Kasi nung nag-meet kami sa ibang schools, parang hindi ko talaga ramdam yung sarili ko sa sitwasyon or sa atmosphere ng school nila,” he added.
The pride of Bulacan is expected to fill the void left by Malian center Mo Tounkara, who recently turned professional in the Basketball Africa League with his home club Stade Malien. Buenaflor hopes to make an immediate impact and support the veteran guard duo of Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao in their quest to bring UST back into Final Four contention—a feat last accomplished in Season 69 back in 2006.
“Super excited ako sa pag-stay ko sa UST. Minsan nakakasalubong ko sila and sinasabihan nila ako lagi na sa UST na ako mag-commit para makasama nila ako at matulungan at maturuan nila ako, nila Kuya Forth at Kuya Nic, sa kung ano pa ang kailangan kong matutunan. Excited din ako na makakasama ko na sila after two years,” Buenaflor shared.
Joining him in the latest batch of Growling Tiger recruits are Manding and Bucsit, both of whom were instrumental in dethroning National University Nazareth School during their grueling three-game series in the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Bucsit, a Santa Rosa, Laguna native, averaged 8.71 points, 3.43 rebounds, and 1.43 steals in his final season with the Tiger Cubs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Manding—a Gilas Youth standout and a homegrown UST product—had a breakout campaign, putting up 8.15 points and 5.69 rebounds per outing.
All three players will have five full years of eligibility starting in UAAP Season 88.
