High school MVPs headline Slam Rising Stars

MANILA, Philippines—Most Valuable Player awardees Mike Nieto of Ateneo and Darius Estrella of Jose Rizal U headline the second staging of the SLAM Rising Stars Classic on March 29 at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.

The game gathers this season’s top collegiate prospects in Metro Manila in a game that will also be shown live on Fox Sports Asia.

Nieto, who was named MVP of the UAAP juniors’ tournament, while leading the Eaglets to the crown recently, will lead Team Punks
coached by De La Salle-Zobel’s Gian Nazario.

Estrella, the NCAA Season 90 juniors’ MVP, who recently committed to stay at JRU despite interest from other UAAP schools, will be part of Team Hype that will be handled by Ateneo’s champion coach, Joe Silva.

Among those who saw action in last year’s event are UAAP Rookie of the Year Arvin Tolentino of Ateneo as well as Prince Rivero of La Salle and Rev Diputado of reigning UAAP champion National U.

Joining Nieto in the team are fellow Eaglet Jolo Mendoza, San Beda’s Niko Abatayo, Mapua’s Denniel Jay Aguirre, Quinito Banzon and Aljun Melecio of DLSSZ, Brandey Bienes and Wendelino Comboy of Far Eastern U, JV Gallego of Chiang Kai Shek College, La Salle Green Hills’ JBoy Gob, Tyler Tio of Xavier Schol and JD Tungcab of Adamson.

De La Salle-bound recruits Jollo Go from Hope Christian School and Andrei Caracut from San Beda will join forces in Team Hype, along with Carlo Abadeza of Arellano U, Mike dela Cruz of La Salle Greenhills, Mark Dyke of National U, Christian Fajarito of FEU, Enzo Navarro of San Sebastian, Mikel Panlilio of International School Manila, Ricci Rivero of LSGH and Noah Webb of DLSZ.

“SLAM Philippines believes in continuing to help young dreamers chase their big dreams and our commitment to highlight the future of Philippine hoops grows even stronger,” said MicoHalili, SLAM Philippines’ Editor-in-Chief.