UAAP talents SJ Moore & Raffy Celis transfer to NCAA’s Benilde

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The College of St. Benilde Blazers is already starting to focus on its future in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament after acquiring UST’s SJ Moore and Ateneo’s Raffy Celis from the UAAP.

It was Strong Group Athletics that formally announced the arrival of the two promising young stars in the NCAA, which was also confirmed by Benilde’s head coach Charles Tiu.

Celis, a former superstar of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, suited up for the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles during the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) multi-champion didn’t receive the minutes when he got to the UAAP and only appeared in six games for the Blue Eagles.

Unlike his tenure in Cebu where he would form a star-studded 1-2 punch with former no. 1 high school player Jared Bahay and play heavy minutes, Celis failed to crack coach Tab Baldwin’s main rotation and was relegated to a bench player.

Meanwhile, Moore, a dazzling guard who possesses a high vertical leap, suited up for the Growling Tigers but didn’t gain his footing in his rookie year.

After suffering an injury last season, Moore is back and is expected to boost the Blazers when they become eligible next conference.

“Like Raffy, he really caught my eye playing in the NBTC and even in the high school ranks of the NCAA. I also tried to recruit him, but I know UST gave him a really good deal,” said Tiu.

In the ongoing NCAA season, Benilde is on track with their redemption campaign as they are still undefeated in four games, topping the official collegiate rankings.

Led by five-star recruits Allen Liwag and Tony Ynot, the Blazers are seeking a bounce-back season after missing the grand finals last year.