By Andrei M. Barrantes

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw standouts Jorick Bautista and Xyrus Torres have been signed by sportswear manufacturer PUMA along with six other University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball cagers to join their PUMA PH Hoops Squad Campaign last December 15.

Bautista and Torres join UAAP peers Malick Diouf, Chicco Briones, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Gjerard Wilson, Patrick Yu and Jolo Manansala in the youth-centric PUMA PH Hoops Squad.

After signing Gilas Pilipinas standout Kai Sotto in April, PUMA doubled down on the brand's focus on the future generation of the sport with the inaugural roster campaign. 

PUMA Philippines country manager Paolo Misa spoke briefly about the changing trajectory of the youth basketball scene in the Philippines and what the brand’s part will be in it.

“Recognizing the exceptional skills of the new breed of Pinoy hoopers in shaping the future of Philippine basketball, PUMA intends to play an active role in carving their path and etching their names in the country's sports history by providing them a support system to help them grow and develop as athletes,” he said. 

After reviving their basketball department in 2018, PUMA rebuilt their campaign structure around the youth with up-and-coming signature athletes and numerous Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to collegiate players worldwide.

The German sportswear brand also serves as the official outfitter of FEU men’s basketball team since season 85, with the sponsorship also extending to the bronze-medalist men’s beach volleyball team and the juniors basketball team in FEU Diliman. 

Bautista and Torres join fellow Morayta cager Patrick Sleat in the growing pool of UAAP players signed as ambassadors of sportswear manufacturers, with Sleat recently joining Adidas in September.

(Photo courtesy of Complex Philippines Facebook Page)