Joshua Fontanilla of St. Clare-BRT Sumisip in action against Leonard Santillan of Marinerong Pilipino during the PBA D-League Foundation Finals. (PBA D-League Images)
By WAYLON GALVEZ
Collegiate standout Joshua Fontanilla has decided to take his act to España, choosing University of Santo Tomas as his next destination for the UAAP Season 83 in 2020.
According to sources, the 5-foot-11 Fontanilla met with UST coach Aldin Ayo and Tigers team manager Jimmy Lim during the team’s party Sunday to finalize a deal, ending speculations as to where wants to play.
“Ang alam ko sa UST talaga niya gusto maglaro. May mga gusto din kumuha sa kanya, tingin ko tinignan muna niya kung anong option ang maganda for him before he decided,” said a source, who requested anonymity since he is not part of the UST coaching staff or management.
Fontanilla’s name was a trending issue on social media last Sunday after speculations spread on his transfer to UST – one of college hoops’ glamor teams.
The same source said UST is expected to make the deal official with an announcement soon. UST ace guard Renzo Subido and two other Tigers played their final season in the season over.
Another source said the presence of Ayo weighed heavily on Fontanilla’s decision to play for UST after spending his first two years at St. Clare Caloocan, which he helped win a NAASCU title recently.
Ayo steered the Tigers to their first finals appearance in four years, only to lose against eventual three-time champion Ateneo Blue Eagles 2-0 in the best-of-three finals series.
Basketball observers think the ‘mayhem’ system of Ayo on defense and ‘controlled chaotic’ offense fits Fontanilla with the way he shows intensity in putting pressure on ball handler and orchestrating a balanced offensive attack.
“Mukhang bagay siya doon sa UST,” said another source, who has knowledge with the negotiations but asked too not to be named.
Fontanilla, who plays both the point and shooting guard spots, has three more playing years in college, although a source said his deal with UST has a clause that allows him to leave the school if Ayo quits his post.
Aside from UST, other teams that expressed interest on Fontanilla were University of the Philippines – another UAAP team – and Letran College, which is fresh from its title campaign in the NCAA.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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