Rhayyan Amsali, James Una join UST Growling Tigers
UST’s newest recruits Rhayyan Amsali and James Una. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Former NCAA players Rhayyan Amsali and James Una are taking their talents to University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
The UST men’s basketball team on Thursday announced that returning coach Pido Jarencio has secured the commitments of Amsali from San Beda and Una from San Sebastian.
“They are big additions to the program that we’re building here in UST,” said Jarencio in Filipino after welcoming the newcomers with his consultant Bonnie Tan and team manager Waiyip Chong.
The 6-foot-4 Amsali played one year with San Beda, averaging 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15 minutes of play in his rookie year in NCAA Season 97 last 2022.
The 22-year-old winger, who played for Nazareth School in high school, is returning to action after “a religious sabbatical.”
“We all know how he plays. We’re challenging him to bring out his potential, which we first saw when he was in high school, for him to be able to help in our rebuilding team,” said Jarencio.
Jarencio was also pleased to acquire the 6-foot-5 Una, who averaged 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds during his rookie year for San Sebastian in Cambodia the NCAA Season 98.
“James is a hard-working kid. That’s what we’re expecting from him to bring his grit to UST,” the returning UST coach said.
Amsali and Una will serve one-year residency before being eligible to play in the UAAP Season 87 in 2024.
Both players have three more playing years with the Growling Tigers.
