Jeepy Faundo will reunite with his college mentor in Pido Jarencio as the incoming third-year big man has signed with NorthPort.
Batang Pier team manager Bonnie Tan confirmed the development first reported by SPIN.ph.
Faundo joined the Mikee Romero-owned franchise as a free agent after Terrafirma did not renew him when his deal expired last March.
The younger brother of PBA vet Bryan spent his first two seasons with the Dyip, which is now taking a different route after trading away former Rookie of the Year CJ Perez to powerhouse club San Miguel Beer last January.
The 25-year-old center was part of Coach Johnedel Cardel’s troops in the Philippine Cup bubble last year, where they only won once in 11 games.
Now he joins a NorthPort side being coached by Jarencio, whom he played for in University of Santo Tomas in 2013 — which turned out to be the final stint of the 56-year-old as the Growling Tigers’ chief tactician.
Together they reached the UAAP Finals, but lost to Jeron Teng and De La Salle University in the best-of-three bout that went the distance.
Faundo had another shot to vie for the gold medal in 2015 with Bong Dela Cruz manning the sidelines, but the cagers from Espana likewise lost to neighbors Far Eastern University in the deciding Game Three.
The 15th overall pick by Magnolia in the 2018 Rookie Draft now becomes the latest Growling Tiger to reunite with Jarencio in the Batang Pier next to vets Jervy Cruz and Kevin Ferrer, as well as Renzo Subido.
Faundo, who stands 6-foot-6, adds more size to a NorthPort frontline featuring 7-foot slotman Greg Slaughter and neophytes Jamie Malonzo and Troy Rike.
The Batang Pier are looking for a fresh start in the 46th season after parting ways with former BPC Christian Standhardinger.
