The University of the Philippines may be losing brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño next season, but a slew of fresh recruits are ready to fill the void come UAAP Season 83.
The Fighting Maroons, who are currently in Naga City seeing action in the Luzon leg of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League, have been busy loading up their roster in the off-season with Senegalese big man Malick Diouf of Centro Escolar University as the most notable acquisition.
UP will be building the team around the trio of Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras and Bright Akhuetie next season as the 6-foot-11 Diouf serves his residency.
The Gomez de Liaño brothers announced last week that they will no longer join the Maroons next season, citing their decision to focus on the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
In a statement, the team said it is supporting the brothers’ move “as it gives way to a greater calling of playing for country.”
“UP is after all, all about serving the country and giving its best in the service of the people,” the statement read. “The GDL brothers represent the best of the UP basketball program and we support their desire to serve our country.” INQ