La Salle welcomes ex-UST Tigers Nonoy, Cuajao

Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao have made their move to La Salle official. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle on Tuesday officially welcomed its new recruits Mark Nonoy and Deo Cuajao to the Green Archers.

Nonoy, Cuajao and their agent Jackson Chua flew to Davao City on Monday to meet with La Salle’s new backer Atty. Mans Carpio.

“Through the years, La Salle has become one of the biggest and proudest collegiate basketball programs in the country. My goal is to open the doors of the school to more homegrown players who cannot afford to study there through sports,” said Carpio, who also helped secure the services of juniors standout Kevin Quiambao.

“That is the true meaning of the Animo spirit.”

Nonoy, who hails from Negros Occidental, and Cuajao, who is from Davao, were the latest to bolt University of Santo Tomas amid the Sorsogon bubble fiasco.

The Growling Tigers have now lost a total of seven players with their once promising core that made the UAAP finals last year gone as reigning MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo and stretch forward Sherwin Concepcion the only vital pieces left.

UST is also looking for a new head coach to replace Aldin Ayo, who resigned and was later banned indefinitely by the UAAP for his involvement in the controversial training camp.

Nonoy, a fearless point guard who averaged 11.11 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists last year, was named the top UAAP rookie in his only season with the Tigers. The 6-foot-1 Cuajao also played just one season for UST.

The two won’t be eligible to suit up for La Salle until Season 84.