Manaytay confident UST will contend for title
Christian Manaytay will be stepping into a new chapter in his basketball career without any doubts that he left his alma mater in good hands.
Manaytay was chosen 10th overall in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft by Rain or Shine, effectively ending his time with the University of Santo Tomas’ men’s basketball team.
Fortunately, the sweet-shooting big man barely had any worries that the Growling Tigers would succeed in the upcoming UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
“I don’t really need to give them any pep talk because knowing them, they’re hungry. They want to prove something this season and I know this team for the season is better than the previous one,” Manaytay said just a few days prior to the Draft.
“They’re faster, way stronger and can shoot a lot of threes outside. (Forthsky) Padrigao’s leading them and he’s very smart. He will lead those guys, especially the rookies and sophomores.”
Manaytay was a huge factor in UST’s Season 87 run last year, where the Tigers secured a Final Four appearance.
The Growling Tigers finished with a 7-7 win-loss card and entered the semifinals as the third seed.
Unfortunately, their run would reach a screeching halt when they were booted out by No. 2 University of the Philippines.
That Final Four clash would turn out to be Manaytay’s final game with UST.
Now, UST is looking to rely on former UAAP Jrs. MVP Collins Akowe from National U to deliver the goods inside for the Tigers.
However, Manaytay is confident that apart from Akowe and the other Tigers, Season 88 may very well be Nic Cabañero’s year.
“I’m very confident that he can score any way he can … I think he even has a UAAP scoring record to his name so he can score anywhere.”
“What the coaches want to see out of him is how he can involve his teammates when he’s not scoring because for sure, he’ll be well scouted.”
Last season, Cabañero was one of the league’s feistiest scorers after averaging 16.3 points per game.
