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EX-TAMARAW KEN TUFFIN SIGNS FOR WELLINGTON SAINTS IN NZ NBL TO PLAY FOR HIS SECOND SEASON

The forward Ken Tuffin will play for Wellington Saints in New Zealand NBL the second time around after the announcement of its roster, yesterday.

/ 15 January 2021

Last year, Tuffin decided to forgo his final year with FEU and go back to his homeland—New Zealand.

For Tuffin, leaving the Philippines is what will be the best for him given the uncertainties due to COVID and where choosing NZ is the alternative solution.

“The growth I can achieve with the club and under Zico is an awesome opportunity and I look forward to progressing my career further and getting out to contribute to my local community,” shared Tuffin in a news release.

“It is great to be back in my hometown to play for the Wellington Saints, a club with an amazing reputation, I’m blessed to be able to put on the singlet,” he propounded.

The 6-foot-5 intends to take his chance via the next PBA Rookie Draft come 2022.

Tuffin was already a great gunner for Wellington as his UAAP career records at an average of 6.6 points on a 38-percent shooting from threes, and 3.6 rebounds in 19 minutes being the captain of FEU last UAAP Season 82.

He also helped manned the Taranaki Mountainairs bolstering 9.2 points on 42.4-percent shooting from three and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Nonetheless, Tuffin has a lot of skills to open which Wellington coach Zico Coronel also approved.

“Kenneth is a young player who is hungry to learn and improve. He showed in 2020 at the Showdown that he shoots the ball efficiently, offers size and athleticism as a guard – which aids him finishing on the interior and when rebounding – and that he is a willing versatile defender. We’re excited for Kenneth to add these attributes and more to our mix as we continue to build our roster,” Coronel affirmed.

Coach Coronel concluded that having Tuffin to gun the roster of Wellington is a pleasing addition for the team fighting for the 2021 New Zealand National Basketball League season.

The second season of Tuffin in NX will commence at the beginning of the second quarter of 2021.