“Our team has really been depleted and we are hoping we could rush things up to be ready when tournaments begin,” Growling Tigers mentor Jinino Manansala confirmed to Spin.ph.

The Cebuano star Casinillo used to play for Ateneo (de Cebu) and is also the former Cesafi Juniors MVP. He committed to UST High School last year but vowed to play and contribute to the españa-based squad.

“I chose to commit to UST because of its basketball program, academics, and most especially because I’m sure that I’m in good hands,” Casinillo shared.

“When I arrive in UST, I’ll make sure that I’ll contribute well through my basketball skills, and hopefully, my leadership skills in Ateneo (de Cebu) will take effect in UST.”

While the 6-foot-4 big man Mantua is set to bring his basketball skills to the Growling Tigers after averaging 2.89 points in nine games for the Baby Tamaraws in UAAP Season 82.

Both are currently outside of the Philippines but Manansala averred that they are only waiting for the return of face-to-face classes to officially welcome them.

Moreover, the decorated mentor affirmed that the team is doing its best to reboot its camp.

“We are a long way to go and we continue to seek good replacements for the losses we suffered. Aside from our holdovers, we are mostly composed of new recruits. We will never know how far we have gone and how ready we would be until the actual games resume. It is very hard to form a highly competitive team given all the IATF restrictions, but we are taking it with baby steps through our Zoom trainings. We are relying much on the individual responsibilty of each player to be ready when the time comes.”