Hunter and Jack Cruz-Dumont with UE coach Jack Santiago. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—University of the East lost the services of notable names such as Luis Villegas and Gani Stevens at the end of its stellar UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.
Knowing this, coach Jack Santiago worked double time to fill the void in the Red Warriors’ roster acquiring the talents of four new blue-chip recruits.
Filipino-Canadians Devin Fikes, brothers Hunter and Jack Cruz-Dumont, and Filipino-American Ethan Galang have committed to UE en route to Season 86.
Fikes showed glimpses of his talents with his 6-foot-5 frame, averaging 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in the 2023 NBTC National Finals for Toronto.
Jack, a shifty playmaker at 6-foot-2, posted numbers of 5.6 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 boards for University of British Columbia while brother Hunter played limited minutes for Simon Fraser University, averaging just 2.9 markers a game.
Galang, another 6-foot-2 slasher, averaged 7.0 points, 2.5 boards, 2.3 steals and 1.3 dimes for Life Pacific University.
“We’re elated to add these young players to what we’re building here in UE. After our promising campaign last season, we have high hopes moving forward and we believe that these four can only boost our chances in competing against our peers in the UAAP,” said Santiago.
Galang is eligible to play Season 86 right away for a two-and-through run with UE, much like Jack. Hunter, however, has more years to play under Santiago with four but will have to serve a residency year first.
Fikes, meanwhile, also has the green light to play right away as a Red Warrior while also having five more playing years.
The quartet of recruits look to back up holdovers Kyle Paranada and Rey Remogat in the upcoming season.