With the UP Fighting failing to secure back-to-back UAAP titles after falling to the La Salle Green Archers in the Season 88 Finals, the Katipunan-based squad may have just found another piece to sustain their winning ways in the years ahead.
Joaquin Tovera, who committed to UP in April, turned heads once again with a strong showing against the defending champion Green Archers in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup. He tallied 16 points and 3 assists for Gilas Youth, though the effort ended in a loss.
Green Archers assistant coach Caloy Garcia praised Gilas’ effort throughout the match, stressing the importance of learning to play against bigger teams.
“The only help we can give them right now is to give our best playing against them… They’ve been preparing pretty well, Coach Juno’s been doing a good job. Us as La Salle, when we played them today, we had to give our best also, at least they get to learn something,” Garcia said postgame.
Tovera Gives UP More Firepower in Post-Rey Remogat Era
Before representing Gilas Youth, Tovera made his mark in high school with the Chino Hills Huskies, a program known for producing current NBA standouts Lonzo and LaMelo Ball.
The 2008-born guard gained recognition after a solid stint with the Fil-Nation Select team at this year’s NBTC National Finals, where he emerged as the tournament’s second-leading scorer. He delivered multiple scoring outbursts, including a 29-point blitz against the Mapúa Red Robins.
Tovera is set to suit up for the Fighting Maroons in Season 90, when current spitfire guard Rey Remogat will have already exhausted his playing years.
With veterans Jacob Bayla and Veejay Pre leading the charge by then, Tovera and the rest of UP will still have plenty of firepower to remain in championship contention.
