Following the alleged UST training bubble conducted in Sorsogon, the 19-year-old is grateful in his new start as he lines up with the Maroons.

Despite being grateful to the UST community for a gratifying start, Lina decided to go to UP with a chance to team up with his former teammates.

“Yung UP, makakasama ko rin po yung former teammates ko sa Batang Gilas,” the young athlete said as he is looking forward to playing again with his former national youth playmakers Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, and RC Calimag.

His detour to Katipunan was a hard decision for the young bruiser given his family’s playing history at the España-based team, however, with his family’s support for his progressing career, he ended up with the decision.

“Mahirap na desisyon ito kasi yung pamilya ko, talagang mga Tomasino sila. Si kuya Kevin (Ferrer), alam naman natin ang mga nagawa niya sa UST. Pati yung isa ko pang pinsan na si Vince, naglaro rin sa UST,” he said.

“Pero nung kinausap ko ang pamilya ko, nakapag-decide kami na lumipat ako ng ibang school. Mahirap man ang desisyon na ginawa namin, pero kailangan,” Lina added. 

With a new path for the student-athlete, the 6-foot-5 forward promised to bring forth the experiences he learned in UST. 

“Matagal din akong naglaro sa UST and kahit high school lang ako naglaro doon, talagang binigay ko ang lahat para sa school,” he said.