Cavite governor Jonvic Remulla, one of the UP men’s basketball team’s chief backers, revealed Fortea’s reroute to Diliman last Monday on the “King and Ian” podcast, hosted by Chris King dela Cruz and Ian Racela.

“Terrence Fortea has committed to us,” said Remulla. “So, makikita mo that the core of the team going to the next three to five years will be really, really solid.”

The 6-foot-1 high-scoring guard will reunite with former Bullpups teammates Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano as they begin their collegiate careers. The pair made their commitment to UP officials in August 2020.

Fortea was one of the best scorers and ranked as the ninth-best player in high school ranks last year. He averaged 15.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in Season 82, wherein the Bullpups went 16-0.

Fortea who also has experience at the international level, donned the national colors, suiting up in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Asia Cup where the Philippines placed fourth.

He 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 the 14th spot.

Fortea joins a loaded UP backcourt that features former UAAP Mythical Team member Ricci Rivero, and transferees CJ Cansino and Joel Cagulangan. 

Amid the prolonged hiatus due to the pandemic, Coach Bo Perasol and the rest of the Maroons’ management have been busy recruiting.

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.”