Last Friday, Jordan Sta. Ana finished with three points during the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ 64-87 loss to the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, Presented by Chooks-to-Go.
It was his final game as a Growling Tiger.
UST head coach Aldin Ayo confirmed that Sta. Ana has left the Growling Tigers for “personal reasons”.
But it’s not just Sta. Ana who has left UST, as only six student-athletes from last year’s team will return.
Joining the returning Renzo Subido and Embons Bonleon for the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament are Steve Akomo, Eric Caunan, Zachary Huang, Vaughn Soriano, Leon Lorenzana, and Marvin Lee.
Gone from the team are Regie Basibas, Wendell de Guzman, Carlo Escalambre, Joco Macasaet, Christian Garcia, Justin Arana, Marvin Romero, and Godwin Kwawukumey. All of them also asked to leave for various personal reasons as well.
With this, the incoming rookies — headed by CJ Cansino — will have to mature quickly. Still, Ayo remains confident that the student-athletes he has now will be there for the long haul.
“Yung team namin ngayon, hindi lang fit sa sistema namin,” the decorated mentor shared. “They fit the our culture of being a true student-athlete of UST.”
