Top high school prospect Terrence Fortea commits to UP

The University of the Philippines has just bolstered its roster with the acquisition of top prospect Terrence Fortea.

Cavite governor and renowned Fighting Maroons patron Johnvic Remulla on Sunday revealed that the former National University Bullpup is headed down to Diliman and will reunite with former teammates Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano.

The 6-foot-1 cager will also join a fearful lineup led by several stars in CJ Cansino, Joel Cagulangan, RC Calimag, and Ricci Rivero.

"Terrence Fortea has committed to us so you will really see that the core of the team going to the next three to five years will really be solid," the official said in an interview on King and Ian podcast.

Fortea is a gem of a recruit.

He averaged of 15.38 points, 2.63 rebounds, and 2.63 assists when the Bullpups claimed their back-to-back junior titles back in UAAP Season 82.

Aside from making waves in the junior basketball scene, the 19-year-old sparkplug has donned the national tricolors, suiting up in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Asia Cup where the Philippines placed fourth.

Fortea was also part of the team that saw action in the 2018 Under-18 World Cup in Argentina as well as the 2019 Under-19 World Cup in Greece, where they wound up in 14th spot.

Remulla lauded UP head coach Bo Perasol for being at the helm of their recruitment haul following the departure of Kobe Paras, Jun Manzo, David Murrell, and Jaydee Tungcab.

"You have to give coach Bo credit for that. He started that winning culture in UP," he said. "He really was the one who led the buildup. He taught them to look higher and he taught them to aim."

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News