In a move set to further fortify its backcourt, University of Santo Tomas has secured the commitment of Filipino-Australian talent, Andrei Honrada.
The 18-year-old point guard, standing at 5-foot-9, hails from St John Northwestern Academies in Delafield, Wisconsin, and brings a wealth of skill and potential to the Tigers’ lineup.
Honrada’s decision to don the gold and black jersey of UST came after careful consideration between UST and other suitors.
Ultimately, it was the storied tradition and history of the Growling Tigers that swayed his choice.
According to Andrei’s mother Marianne, “His decision to join UST was influenced by the warm welcome he received from both players and coaches, as well as his belief in his ability to make a significant impact on the rebuilding team.
“Additionally, he was attracted to the Tigers by their rich history and the overall environment surrounding the university.”
With an impressive resume already under his belt, including being a member of the 2019 U14 Australian Championship National Champion team, Honrada is poised to leave a lasting mark on UST’s basketball program.
Noteworthy accolades include his invitation to represent Australia for Junior NBA in 2020, as well as leading his high school team to victory as the U16 Junior Premier League Champion in 2021.
Furthermore, Honrada’s leadership skills shine through as he served as the St. John High School Basketball captain in 2023 and 2024, boasting an impressive scoring average of 20.9 points per game in his senior year.
Notably, in 2024, he achieved the milestone of scoring 1000 points in US High School Basketball.
He is currently playing for Homegrown Australia in the 2024 SMART NBTC National Finals.
“We are excited for Andrei to join the Tigers. We are pleased that he’s part of our Homegrown program and that he will be attending a school steeped in tradition and history. We look forward to seeing him contribute and add value to the UST program,” said Homegrown Basketball Australia director Rey Racuyal.
Set to be eligible for UAAP Season 87, Honrada will provide essential depth to UST’s backcourt, backing up transferees Forthsky Padrigao and Kyle Paranada.
Also waiting in the wings for UAAP Season 88 is Renzo Competente.
