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MANILA, Philippines – Easily one of the fancied squads in the forthcoming UAAP men’s basketball tournament are the University of the Philippines’ Fighting Maroons.
Now, the Diliman-based team has added another piece to its offensive arsenal with the acquisition of point guard Ethan Kaw, who is expected to boost the team’s quickness.
Kaw spent his high school years donning blue jersey, acquiring vast experience while playing for Saint Jude Catholic School and later for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets.
In a change of heart, Kaw has chosen to wear Maroon colors in the UAAP cage wars that begin on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
His six-foot frame puts him in the guard or forward size range, which aligns well with his role as a versatile player in the team’s backcourt and wing positions.
Possessing some shooting touch, Kaw is also expected to provide the Fighting Maroons the needed orchestration and consistency, making UP one of the teams to beat in premier collegiate cage league.
For Kaw however, his mindset is simple. He told online media that he wanted to experience a new environment in college, something expects to achieve with the Fighting Maroons.
With a month and half away before the UAAP joust, Kaw said he is adapting well to the point guard position, adding that the transition is tougher than most expect it to be.
He claimed to have significantly improved playing in the position after several practice sessions with a new system under coach Goldwin Monteverde, honing his reaction time, ball-handling and passing.