Xavier ace Miguel Tan commits to UP

One of the top prospects outside of the UAAP and NCAA is set to beef up University of the Philippines. 

Xavier School’s Miguel Tan has committed to join the Fighting Maroons.

The 6-foot-5 prospect places 22nd in the 2020 NBTC 24 Rankings. Although also courted by Ateneo and La Salle, the Xavier standout chose the Fighting Maroons because of the education that UP offers.

“UP is one of the top schools here eh. The education’s really, really good, and it’s a privilege to study there,” said the 18-year-old forward, who graduated high school last Friday.

“One of the main reasons I picked UP talaga is to study there. It doesn’t hurt that they have a good basketball program as well.”

It also helped that UP “felt like home” for the young Golden Stallion.

“Miguel definitely worked hard to be there. He has put in the work during his time in Xavier,” said Dr. Sy.

“He started off as a big man during grade school because he was the tallest player we had. But by Grade Nine or Ten he added range to become more of a forward. If he works on his dribbling, he can be a big three in college. He was always a hard worker.”

Tan added, “I’ve been slimming down and [trying to] be more explosive to be able to play the forward position in college.”

Tan was also part of Gilas Youth’s program. He was called up during the 2017 SEABA Under-16 championship, and was part of the pool that competed in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

Besides participating with Gilas Youth, one of Tan’s biggest moments was when he dropped 30 points against Kai Sotto and Ateneo High during the JAM tournament in Cebu back in 2018.

Since then, he knew that he had to give it his all in every game — especially during his senior year.

“As a senior, I was expected to deliver, so there was really a chip [on my shoulder].

“Since we didn’t have UAAP and NCAA, I really had to give my all in every game. You don’t know who’s going to watch e,” he said.

Tan was already training with the Fighting Maroons prior to the lockdown. Fresh off high school, he has five playing years with UP.