Ateneo’s 2023 recruitment class just got deeper after securing Demisana.
The recruitment saga continues, and it's becoming a tight race between the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles—two of the arguably most active teams in recruitment.
Recently, UP got the commitment of top high school guard Jared Bahay, who played juniors with Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.
This time, the tables are turned, as the Blue Eagles won the race for one of the country’s top young bigs in Gab "Kobe" Demisana, who played high school ball for the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Junior Fighting Maroons.
In his lone season with UPIS, Demisana made the UAAP Season 85 Mythical Team after averaging 17.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, on top of his 2.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game.
The management of UP men's basketball team (UP MBT) admitted that they were hoping that Demisana would play for the seniors team after they helped recruit him to the juniors program.
“Sometime 2019, we were helping the UPIS juniors basketball program recruit Gab [Kobe] Demisana, hoping also that he would someday play for the seniors team, “ UP MBT said in its statement released on Friday, which was also reposted by alumni group Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation, Inc.
“We even visited him and his family in Bacolod then. He was at that time also being recruited by several UAAP schools.”
After further discussion with the 6-foot-8 star, the UP brass said they eventually advised Demisana to make the decision for himself, and that they will support him nonetheless.
“We advised him that he should decide based on what he thinks is best for him and his future and that we will be supportive of his decision, whatever that is,” said ngtbUP.
Now that Kobe has signed up for the Blue Eagles, the Fighting Maroons only have good wishes for the kid.
“Good luck and best wishes to you and your family, Gab. You are still a katipunero.”
Demisana joins a deep Ateneo recruitment class for 2023, who already recruited Bahay's former teammates in Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro, as well as Gilas Youth standouts Mason Amos and Kyle Gamber.