University of the Philippines further beefed up its roster as it secured the commitment of the troika that carried La Salle Green Hills to the finals of Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association juniors’ basketball tournament.

In an announcement, the Fighting Maroons stressed that LSGH stars Josh Coronel, Seven Gagate and Luis Pablo have already committed to join their men’s basketball program after their high school graduation.

Coronel, Gagate and Pablo are all members of the Gilas U18 squad.

Pablo, in fact, emerged as Most Valuable Player in the recent NCAA tourney with Gagate joining him in the Mythical Team. Coronel, for his part, sat out last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

UP Men’s Basketball Team director for operations Bo Perasol said they are excited to work with Coronel, Gagate and Pablo, who all played crucial roles in the Greenies’ runner-up finish in the previous NCAA wars.

“Their accomplishment on the court are well-documented but what impressed us is their character and maturity,” Perasol said.

“We feel extremely blessed to have Luis, Josh and Seven to our team.”

UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde said despite being rookies, Coronel, Pablo and Gagate have what it takes to help them reclaim the University Athletic Association of the Philippines title that they lost to Ateneo de Manila University last year.

“It all boils down to hard work,” Monteverde, who was instrumental in helping UP snap its 36-year title drought in 2021, said.

“If all of our rookies take their cue from the veterans and work hard, our team will do well.”

Prior to securing the commitment of the La Salle trio, the Maroons signed Gilas mainstay Francis Lopez while the core of Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, Malick Diouf, CJ Cansino and JD Cagulangan will be returning to form one of the league’s most solid squads.