By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Xavier school superstar Miguel Tan knew that there was nowhere to go, but UP.
Despite offers from the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the De La Salle Green Archers, the 6’5’’ swingman decided to commit with the University of the Philippines and hopes he can help elevate the Fighting Maroons.
A pure big-man from his elementary days, Tan expanded his range and improved his handles, becoming one of the most skillful forwards in the HS class of 2020, ranked 22nd by the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) rankings.
Tan was also one of the most-sought high school players in the country after representing PH during the 2017 SEABA Under-16 championship and was a part of the roster during the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, he is also a member of the Gilas youth program.
Tan saw his stock rise exponentially after a spectacular 30-point performance against Kai Sotto’s Ateneo team during the JAM tournament in Cebu in 2018.
“UP is one of the top schools here eh. The education’s really, really good, and it’s a privilege to study there. One of the main reasons I picked UP talaga is to study there. It doesn’t hurt that they have a good basketball program as well,” said Tan.
