Ex-Tiger Abando also Knighted

Rhenz Abando —TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.NET

Rhenz Abando, touted as the next big collegiate sensation after just one season with the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP, has taken his act to the rival NCAA and will become the latest ex-Growling Tiger to suit up for the Letran Knights.

The athletic forward is set to join the Knights while the Growling Tigers remain under harsh scrutiny for holding training camp in head coach Aldin Ayo’s hometown of Sorsogon despite the government’s health protocols for sports during this quarantine season.

“He wouldn’t have left had none of [the mess] happened,” a person familiar with the situation said.

Abando joins a proven Knights side that won the last championship in the NCAA, following Brent Paraiso, and Ira Bataller, ex-Tigers who have already enrolled in Letran last Friday, according to another Inquirer source.

He is set to complete his transfer on Tuesday before heading back to his hometown of La Union province.

Abando was the target of a poaching attempt by a rival UAAP school last season. INQ