When one door closes, another opens.
That’s certainly the case for both Zain Mahmood and Far Eastern University.
Just two months after Veejay Pre transferred from FEU to University of the Philippines, former University of Santo Tomas forward Zain Mahmood has committed to join the Tamaraws.
The 6-foot-7 big man confirmed the move to Tiebreaker Times.
“I chose FEU for a lot of reasons — the vibrant culture, the facilities, the exposure — but most of all, it was the general vibe I felt being around the team,” Mahmood shared.
“I feel like Coach Sean (Chambers) instills confidence in his players, and I believe he can push me to the next level both mentally and physically.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Mahmood, a product of Maranatha High School, initially made waves as part of the Gilas Boys squad during the 2022 FIBA U16 Asian Championship. Two years later, he committed to UST.
However, in his rookie year, Mahmood saw limited action under head coach Pido Jarencio, appearing in only seven games during the UAAP Season 86 5-on-5 tournament. He did find success in the 3×3 tournament, helping the Growling Tigers secure a silver medal.
Now, following a similar path to Pre, Mahmood will sit out one year due to residency rules before becoming eligible to suit up for FEU in UAAP Season 89.
The 19-year-old Filipino-Canadian forward still has two years of eligibility remaining.
“Of course, the goal is to keep improving. I’m planning to seek additional training outside of team practices and focus on getting my mind and mentality right as I prepare to come in and be a major contributor,” he said.
