By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Negrense basketball superstar Heinz Gabriel “Kobe” Demisana is set to play for one of the best collegiate hoops programs for the upcoming UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.
The six-foot-eight former Batang Gilas youth national team member confirmed last April 14, 2023, that he is ready to beef up the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles later this month when they kick off their title defense campaign.
Demisana is coming off a stellar season with the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons (UPIS) and led the program to several big wins despite crashing out in the Final Four.
His all-around performance for the UPIS helped him clinch a spot in the Mythical Team roster of the UAAP Juniors and averaged 17.64 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.07 blocks, 2.64 assists, and 2.14 steals per contest.
“Not everyone can choose or receive this type of opportunity, but I believe it is God’s plan for me, and I trust that more opportunities are coming. So I thank God for this,” said Demisana.
Demisana will be joining a stacked and talented Blue Eagles squad mentored by the legendary Tab Baldwin who is still not done with his off-season recruitment to build the best core that can help them win more UAAP titles.
He was once tagged as the Nikola Jokic of Western Visayas high school basketball due to his high IQ on both ends of the floor.
The six-foot-eight skilled big man also once made it to the Asia Pacific selection during the Jr. NBA Global Championship in Orlando, Florida.
The Ilonggos will never forget Demisana after spearheading Tay Tung’s comeback victory against the Iloilo-based St. Robert’s International Academy last 2019 NBTC Western Visayas Regional Finals held in Ibajay, Aklan.
Tay Tung went down by as much as 20 points in the first half but Demisana’s efficient performance helped turn things around in the last two quarters of the championship match.
“I am so blessed and grateful for this opportunity to be an Atenean, even if I was only a one-and-done player in the UAAP juniors,” Demisana added.
