Son of former PBA player to bolster UP Maroons

Another name should be added to the list of the UP Maroons’ future standouts to look out for: 6-foot-2 combo guard Daniel De Joya, the son of former PBA player Macky de Joya. 

The second-generation student-athlete, who will be eligible for one playing year come UAAP Season 84, is currently training in Los Angeles, California with Fighting Maroon David Murell, and under the tutelage of coach Cris Gopez of Fil-Foreign Nation.

De Joya previously saw action for the Fighting Maroons in the Milcu Got Skills tournament in 2019. 

Since then, the 24-year-old has worked on improving his skillset in the United States and figures to be a potential contributor once he can suit up for the University of the Philippines’ main UAAP roster. 

“Daniel is a versatile and athletic wingman who plays both ends of the floor,” UP head coach Bo Perasol told Rappler. “He has decent range from outside and is very explosive to the basket. This guy has the same toughness that his dad has.”

Gopez, who trains college and pro-level Filipino-American prospects planning to play basketball in the Philippines, described the younger De Joya as having “great energy and great speed.”

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“I look forward to seeing him play with the UP men’s basketball program,” Gopez said. “I definitely would like to see him work on his shot more, but his aggressiveness to the basket and the ability to go after the rebound are [traits] any coach would like.”

De Joya grew up in Cerritos, California before moving to Eastvale in the same state. He attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Corona, California, then played for Mt. San Antonio College, where he led his team in scoring, assists, and steals during his final season. 

He will take up a master’s degree course at the University of the Philippines.

“I’m a big, high-energy guy with a handle that finishes with both hands and shoots the three,” De Joya told Rappler. 

De Joya averaged 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4 assists a game as a senior and values himself as a “point guard who can turn into a combo guard.” 

“Having a dad that played Philippines basketball just gave me extra motivation to keep going because it’s in my blood to play basketball,” he said about his familial ties. “And, yes, my dad and I are close.”

Both his parents lived in the Philippines before moving to the United States.

The elder De Joya, a former San Beda standout in the NCAA, played for Ginebra in the ‘90s along with stalwarts like Marlou Aquino, Bal David, Vince Hizon, Pido Jarencio, and playing-coach Robert Jaworski. 

De Joya is another addition to a growling list of new recruits who aim to bring the Fighting Maroons their first UAAP title since 1986.

In the past few weeks, UP successfully recruited the likes of Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, CJ Cansino, Bismarck Lina, among others. 

High praise

Gopez was also complimentary of Murell, an incoming UP junior who he compared to a former top-level NBA player. 

“David is like a mini version of Metta World Peace,” said Gopez. “[He has] great energy and I know he can bring a lot to the table in the upcoming season.”

Before changing his name, World Peace was called Ron Artest, a former All-Star who is regarded as one of the greatest defenders to ever play in the NBA.  He was also part of the last Los Angeles Lakers title team led by Kobe Bryant in 2010. 

In his first two seasons with UP, Murell, who is a superb athlete, has been relied upon by Perasol for important defensive sequences, but has yet to earn high minutes. 

“David, definitely, has great poise to the game,” added Gopez. “[His] ability to take off with two feet and score from any angle is good for any team.”

Gopez also mentioned that both Murell and De Joya have remained in great shape during quarantine, and that if the two of them fulfill their potential, then “UP might have a shot at the title.” – Rappler.com