By: Dominic Adrian Veloso
The final piece to the University of Santo Tomas’ championship puzzle for the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament has arrived.
With just over 10 days left before Season 89 tips off, the Growling Tigers secured the commitment of Gilas Pilipinas Youth standout Andrew Chio, a 6-foot-1 guard from Xavier School.
Chio played a key role for the Philippines over the summer, averaging 8.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in an unbeaten title run at the 2026 SEABA U-18 Championship.
The 18-year-old sharpshooter then averaged 5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists as Gilas Youth finished eighth in the FIBA U-18 Asia Cup in Ahmedabad, India, last August.
Chio’s arrival capped a productive offseason for UST, which secured two-year contract extensions with major backer San Miguel Corporation and head coach Pido Jarencio last January.
Over the summer, the Growling Tigers also landed the commitments of one-and-done players Donovan Sevilla, Lorenzo Abellar, and Landyn Jumawan, as well as grassroots products Kirk Cañete and Charles Esteban.
The additions significantly bolster UST’s depth for a squad that already features Season 88 Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe, Amiel Acido, Mark Llemit, Gelo Crisostomo, and Koji Buenaflor.
Chio will have five full years of eligibility with the Growling Tigers beginning in Season 89.
