Three products of Technological Institute of the Philippines find a new home in Mapua University.
Big man Ivan Santos and forwards Jopet Soriano and Marlon Navarro have committed to the Cardinals.
TIP head coach Potit De Vera himself confirmed the development.
Earlier reports stated that Ivan Santos was committing to University of Santo Tomas together with Bryan Santos. But Santos apparently had a change of heart, which is why he is heading to Intramuros instead of España.
“Ivan chose Mapua instead of UST,” said De Vera.
Ivan averaged 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest during the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup that saw the Engineers make it to the Final Four.
But for Coach De Vera, Mapua scored a huge coup in 22-year-old, 6-foot-3 forward Soriano.
Though only averaging just 4.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists during the Foundation Cup, the ceiling of Soriano is really high, according to the amiable mentor.
“The biggest gem of all is with Mapua in our two-time TIP MVP, Jopet Soriano. He has been overlooked by most, but not by me and his teammates,” shared De Vera.
“He is the Philippine college version of Dennis Rodman with a more polished offense.”
Navarro, who stands at 6-foot-4, normed 1.6 points and 4.0 boards during the Foundation Cup.
All three will be eligible for the NCAA Season 97 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
Other Engineers who found a new home are Ximone Sandagon, who went to Far Eastern University; and Warren Calara who headed to De La Salle University.
