Young Jhomel Ancheta is ready for a new challenge.
The 5-foot-8 floor general out of San Mateo, Rizal has secured his release from Centro Escolar University and is set to transfer to College of Saint Benilde.
For Ancheta, his performance in the UCBL was a sign that he needed to make a move.
He also tried out at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Emilio Aguinaldo College. But it was CSB who made him feel at home.
“After namin manalo sa UCBL, yun young naging sign ko to try kung kakayanin ko ba either sa UAAP or sa NCAA,” he shared to Tiebreaker Times. “Kaya yung mga coaches ko, si Coach Pat (Tancioco) and si Coach Cris (Bautista) pina-tryout ako sa CSB.
“Nagustuhan naman ako nila Coach Charles (Tiu) kaya dun napanatag loob ko na sa CSB ako pupunta.”
After a talk between CEU’s management and CSB booster Frank Lao, Ancheta was able to secure his release.
“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa CEU, kayla Dr. Johnny Yap and Coach Jeff (Perlas), dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila, wala ako dito,” he expressed. “Dahil sa CEU, nakapaglaro ako at talagang grateful ako sa kanila.
“Si Coach Chico (Manabat) naman, kung hindi dahil sa pagtiyatiyaga niya sa amin, hindi kami magcha-champion. Kasi nagsimula kami after the pandemic, zero talaga kami. Kahit hindi namin nagagawa yung gusto niya, pinagtiyagaan niya talaga kami kaya nagpapasalamat din ako sa kanya.”
In his freshman year, Ancheta averaged 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Ancheta, who will have to sit out NCAA Season 99 for residency, knows that what he has now is not enough for him to compete against the big guards of the Grand Old League. That is why during the gap year, he looks to improve his strength and conditioning.
“Kailangan ko pa magpalapad kasi iba na yung guards sa NCAA,” said Ancheta.
“Magtratrabaho pa ako lalo sa CSB at sa Better Basketball para ready na ako next season.”
Just 19 years old, Ancheta still has four years of eligibility in the NCAA.
CEU also lost Franz Diaz to UST. Big man Henry Agunanne is also being eyed by UAAP schools.
