University of the Philippines secured one of the top prospects in the class of 2021.
Terrence Fortea has made his commitment to join the Fighting Maroons, with team booster Gov. Jonvic Remulla confirming the development on the King and Ian podcast hosted by Tiebreaker Times’ Chris King Dela Cruz and Ian Racela.
“Terrence Fortea has committed to us. Makikita mo na ‘yung core ng team for the next few years will be very solid,” said the governor of Cavite.
Fortea, 19, has been a lifer for Nazareth School – National University.
During his stay in Jhocson, the 6-foot-1 gunner played in 61 UAAP games. He averaged 11.7 points on 125 total triples with 2.26 assists. He also helped the Bullpups win two of the last four UAAP High School Boys’ basketball crowns.
In UAAP Season 82, Fortea averaged a team-high 15.38 points, 2.63 rebounds, 2.56 assists, and 1.13 steals. He also acted as Goldwin Monteverde’s sparkplug.
Fortea was also part of the Gilas Youth program, competing in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Asia Cup, 2018 Under-18 World Cup, and 2019 Under-19 World Cup, as well as the 2019 3×3 Under-18 Asia Cup.
He will immediately be eligible once the UAAP resumes.
Fortea is the third Bullpup to join UP. Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano enrolled in the school last year.
“Madami ‘yan. I think there’s not one but several prospects we recruited,” said Remulla.
“The difference-maker will be Carl Tamayo. I think he is the best big man in the Philippines. Baka maraming magalit sa akin but I think he is better than Kai Sotto. Grabe rin ‘yung combination na ‘yan with Gerry Abadiano. Surprisingly he is very good at math.”
In UP, he will be part of a loaded backcourt that already has Ricci Rivero, CJ Cansino, Abadiano, Joel Cagulangan, and RC Calimag.
The Fighting Maroons have been rebuilding following the departures of Juan Gomez de Liaño, Kobe Paras, Jun Manzo, David Murrell, and Jaydee Tungcab.
