Both the Fighting Maroons and the Bulldogs arrived in South Korea on Sunday.
UP will stay until August 9, while NU will depart a day later.
During their time in Korea, both squads will face off against Korean Basketball League teams and universities to sharpen their skills for the upcoming season.
Last season, the Fighting Maroons finished in second place, while the Bulldogs secured the bronze medal.
Goldwin Monteverde’s UP team features seniors JD Cagulangan, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Terrence Fortea, along with sophomore Francis Lopez and transferees Gani Stevens and Dikachi Udodo.
Quentin Millora-Brown will be joining the team in South Korea in two days.
(C) Coach MC Abolucion
On the other hand, Jeff Napa’s Bulldogs are led by seniors Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez.
Key recruits for NU include Vince Reyes and Tebol Garcia from Adamson High.
The Fighting Maroons are grateful to long-time UP Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) supporter, JJ Atencio, CEO of Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), for making this trip possible.
“In the beginning, when they were the perennial underdogs and had not yet won a championship, I was attracted to the UP story. I identified with them because they were underdogs, and I had a similar experience. Through hard work, persistence, dedication, integrity, sincerity, and prayer, you can reach your goal. And I did, they did,” said Atencio.
UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (UP OASD) Director Bo Perasol expressed the team’s appreciation for Atencio’s significant impact on the Fighting Maroons’ improvement both on and off the court.
“JJ is like a father figure to the boys. We are really grateful for his generosity and help in our overseas training camps. More than that, we are extremely blessed to have him as a partner in guiding the players and looking after them beyond the corners of the basketball court,” said Perasol.
