JT Tan has been in the Philippines for the past few weeks, and the country’s “Big Four” universities are making a strong push to land him for a one-and-done stint in the upcoming UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
Multiple sources closely monitoring the situation told Tiebreaker Times that the 6-foot-8, 280-pound big man has already met with representatives from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and University of Santo Tomas.
Another source shared that University of the Philippines is also on the radar of Tan’s camp.
Tan, a presence in the paint, would be a significant boost to the title aspirations of any of these programs.
The Fil-Am center spent four years with NCAA Division I school Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
After sitting out his freshman year due to injury, he appeared in 55 games over the next three seasons with the Mountain Hawks.
Last season, Tan transferred to NCAA Division II school Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he averaged 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Tan has long been on the radar of both Ateneo and UP.
(C) Asiabasket
For the Blue Eagles, Tan would be an ideal fit, potentially forming a formidable California-based core alongside one-and-done recruits Kymani Ladi (Merritt College), and the Cal State LA duo of Jaden Lazo and Dominic Escobar.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons are in need of an interior presence following the departure of Quentin Millora-Brown. Tan could help fill that void.
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UST, on the other hand, is looking for someone who can complement Peter Osang in the paint.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
As for the Green Archers, they already boast a deep frontcourt — but that doesn’t necessarily rule them out of the running for Tan’s services.
Tan’s camp is carefully evaluating which school can offer the best environment for his development in just one year, with hopes of paving the way to a career in the PBA or other top Asian leagues.
