DLSZ’s Banzon to play for UP in FilOil

MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle Zobel High School product Quinito Banzon will be included in the roster of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the 2015 Hanes Flying V FilOil Premier Cup roster, he confirmed to Rappler on Wednesday, April 22.

Six-foot tall Banzon will make his debut for UP in the yearly preseason tournament, which will begin on Saturday, April 25, at the San Juan Arena.

Banzon played shooting guard in high school and in his senior campaign averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.3 triples a game. He shot 40% from the field and 30% from downtown while being one of the La Salle Zobel’s main sources for scoring.

The Archers advanced to the stepladder Final Four before getting eliminated by the NU Bullpups.

In this year’s SLAM Rising Stars Classic, Banzon put up 9 points in Team Punks’ 103-95 win over Team Hype.

“I’m super pumped to play in the preseason league,” Banzon told Rappler, “so that I get a feel of college ball and to benchmark myself, and the team, so I can work everything before the UAAP season.”

Banzon’s eligibility for the UAAP season will depend on if he can secure a release from La Salle. Otherwise, the talented prospect will have to sit out the 2015 season.

Banzon will be part of the new-look UP Maroons that’s being managed by Azkals team manager Dan Palami. Cebu-based Felix Jaboneta has also confirmed his commitment to University of the Philippines, which reportedly has a new head coach in Joe Ward. – Rappler.com