Another UCAL standout is set to don the colors of the University of the Philippines.
Centro Escolar University standout CJ Singson has transferred to UP, bringing him a step closer to fulfilling his dream of playing in the UAAP and representing the Fighting Maroons.
For the 22-year-old guard from Cauayan City, Isabela, the move marks the realization of a long-held ambition.
“Sobrang saya and sobrang blessed, honestly. Dream come true talaga siya for me,” shared Singson, who is represented by Phenom Sports Management.
“Growing up, isa talaga sa mga pangarap ko na makapaglaro sa UAAP, especially for a school like UP. Hindi naging madali yung journey ko, and maraming sacrifices, challenges, at uncertainties along the way.”
Singson’s path to UP was far from smooth, with several stops and setbacks shaping his development as a player.
After high school, he moved between the University of the East and Arellano University, seeing action in their preseason tournaments. However, he was eventually cut before finding an opportunity to develop his game with CEU.
His hard work paid off during UCAL Season 8, when he averaged 12.0 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 35.8 percent from beyond the arc, along with 3.7 rebounds per game. His contributions helped lead the Scorpions to the championship during his sophomore year with the school.
Beyond his on-court growth, Singson credited his experiences at Arellano and CEU for teaching him valuable lessons about perseverance and personal development.
“Sa Arellano at CEU, marami akong natutunan, hindi lang as a basketball player kundi pati as a person. Natutunan ko kung paano maging patient, paano magtrabaho kahit hindi laging pabor sa akin ang situation, at kung paano bumangon kapag may setbacks. Every experience, whether good or bad, naging part siya ng growth ko,” he shared.
CEU, in particular, became a second home for the young guard, providing him with the support and opportunities he needed to improve his game and build confidence.
“Sa CEU naman, sobrang thankful ako kasi naging second family ko sila. Malaki ang naging part nila sa development ko, especially sa confidence ko and sa pag-improve ng game ko. Maraming tao roon ang naniwala sa akin, gumabay sa akin, at nagbigay ng opportunity para mas ma-develop ko ang sarili ko as a player. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang lahat ng ginawa nila para sa akin,” he continued.
“Kahit lilipat ako ng chapter ngayon, dala ko pa rin lahat ng lessons and memories na nakuha ko sa CEU. I’ll always be grateful to them kasi naging malaking part sila ng journey ko kung nasaan man ako ngayon.”
After the season, Singson received an opportunity to take the next step in his career by joining UP—a chance he felt he could not afford to pass up.
“Actually, opportunity siya na dumating after all the hard work and sacrifices na ginawa ko over the past years. Nagsimula ako sa Arellano, then I continued my journey sa CEU, kung saan marami rin akong natutunan and na-improve sa game ko. Through basketball, I continued to work on myself and tried to make the most out of every opportunity na dumating sa akin. Then, nabigyan ako ng chance na makapag-UP, and I saw it as an opportunity na hindi ko basta-basta dapat palampasin. It was a big decision, pero I felt na kailangan kong sumugal para sa dream ko na makapaglaro sa UAAP,” he said.
“I’m really grateful na nagkaroon ako ng chance na ito, and ngayon, ang focus ko is to make the most of it.”
At UP, Singson will reunite with a UCAL rival in Bryan Manuel, who played for Olivarez College before also making the move to the Fighting Maroons.
The two are set to begin their UP journey on Thursday in the PG Flex Quintana Cup.
With two playing years remaining, the 6-foot-2 guard intends to make the most of his residency year by sharpening his skills, improving his physical conditioning, and familiarizing himself with the team’s system before becoming eligible to play.
(C) UCAL
“For me, ang goal ko ngayong residency year is to prepare myself as much as possible, both physically and mentally. Gusto kong mas palakasin pa yung katawan ko, i-improve yung skills ko, and mas maintindihan yung system ng team. I want to use this year to learn from the coaches and my teammates, and to develop the discipline and consistency na kailangan para maging ready ako kapag dumating na yung opportunity ko,” he said.
Singson understands that representing UP comes with expectations, making his time away from actual UAAP competition an important period for preparation and growth.
“Alam ko na malaking responsibility ang maglaro para sa UP, especially with the expectations for next year. Kaya ayokong sayangin yung time na meron ako ngayon. Gusto kong pagdating ng time na eligible na akong maglaro, ready akong makatulong sa team in any way I can,” he said.
“Ultimately, goal ko na hindi lang basta makapaglaro sa UAAP, kundi makatulong sa UP na maging competitive at hopefully makamit yung goals ng team. I know I still have a lot to learn, pero I’m willing to put in the work every day.”
