As the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons focus on their UAAP Season 89 campaign, the program has already laid the foundation for the future after securing five new recruits who are expected to play key roles once they become eligible in Season 90 following the mandatory one-year residency period.
Leading the incoming class are Fil-Am twins Heart and Hannah Lising, who arrive after playing for Los Angeles Mission College. Although they will spend their first year developing within the program, the sisters are expected to become integral pieces of UP’s long-term plans.
Joining them is 5-foot-6 Fil-Am guard Kristan Yumul, whose resume already includes several notable appearances for the Philippine national team despite her young age.
Yumul was instrumental in Gilas Pilipinas Girls Under-16’s successful campaign in the 2022 FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship, averaging an impressive 21.6 points per game as the Philippines earned promotion to Division A.
Later that year, she suited up for the Gilas Under-18 squad and contributed 10.6 points per game in another promotion-winning campaign at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship.
Her steady rise continued in 2024 when she debuted for the Gilas Pilipinas women’s national team. Most recently, she represented the country in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League – Asia Pacific Conference, further strengthening an already impressive basketball résumé before joining UP.
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The Fighting Maroons also welcomed 19-year-old Fil-Aussie forward Lecita Sherriffs, who, like the other newcomers, will spend a season in residency before becoming eligible.
Completing the recruiting class is 18-year-old Nigerian Okesola Victoria Olauluwa, whose arrival comes at an opportune time after the UAAP approved the inclusion of two foreign student-athletes in a team’s lineup. Once eligible, she is expected to join fellow Nigerian Blessing Chuole Francis to give UP additional size and depth in future seasons.
The additions mark another step in the program’s transition under head coach Eric Altamirano, who emphasized the importance of continuously strengthening the roster.
“Siyempre, recruitment naman ang lifeblood of any program, and we’re just happy for the trust these players gave us, even as they wait for a year before being able to play,” said Altamirano.
While the newcomers patiently wait for their opportunity in Season 90, UP’s attention remains on the immediate challenge of UAAP Season 89.
The Fighting Maroons will lean on veterans Louna Ozar and Camille Nolasco, along with promising recruits Kennan Ka, Ashley Loon, and Blessing Chuole Francis, as they attempt to return to the Final Four after finishing fifth and seventh in the last two UAAP women’s basketball tournaments.
Altamirano also stressed that every member of the growing roster will have an opportunity to contribute as the program continues its rebuild.
“What we can promise naman is all of them will be given the chance to prove themselves, kasi kailangan natin lahat sila,” he said.
UP hopes its latest recruiting class will help restore the Fighting Maroons as contenders in the coming years after the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses captured the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball championship by dethroning the defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs.
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