By ADRIAN STEWART CO

University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Growling Tigresses standout Barby Jean Dajao is not heading elsewhere after committing to join the Growling Tigresses for college.

In an interview with UST’s The Varsitarian, the UAAP Season 87 girls basketball MVP awardee said her decision to remain in the Tigers’ lair is due to her belief in their program.

“I am staying with UST and committing to the women’s team for next season,” Dajao said.

“I believe in their program, especially confident ako and may tiwala ako sa coaches,” she said.

“Hindi na ako nag-consider ng other options since maganda naman ‘yung naging development ko dito,” the Bacolod City-native guard added.

Dajao steered the Junior Growling Tigresses’ 5×5 and 3×3 teams to championships in the just-concluded UAAP Season 87 campaigns.

For his part, Junior Growling Tigresses head coach Arsenio Dysangco said Dajao’s leadership and maturity will be a huge addition to the Growling Tigresses squad of head coach Haydee Ong.

“She is the heart of the Junior Tigresses, always leading by example. She never allowed anyone to be left behind,” Dysangco, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Growling Tigresses, said.

“She was never too good that she forgot to teach her juniors, never too high that she forgot to help those below her, never too proud that she forgot where she came from,” he added.

The 19-year-old Dajao averaged a double-double of 17.25 points and 11.25 rebounds, along with 5.5 assists and 4.13 steals per game for the Junior Growling Tigresses in the 5×5 tournament.

Meanwhile, Negrense guard Grachelle Boteros and center Jannah Wenceslao are also staying with the Growling Tigresses for college, while Kassandra Tambawan, Giorgina Anonuevo and Maxine Floirendo are moving to the Enderun College Lady Titans./ASC, WDJ