On Wednesday, Ateneo de Manila University announced the commitment of Filipino-American guard Paul Garcia.

Garcia, 23, is from Maryland and was born to Filipino parents. Before transferring to Ateneo, he played for the Montgomery College Raptors and then the Salisbury University Seagulls.

Garcia appeared in 22 games for Salisbury as a senior, averaging 4.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 38.3 percent from long range.

As Garcia, who has Manila lineage through both of his parents, explained, “I’m excited. It feels like a dream come true, really. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do growing up, to go back home to the Philippines,” 

“I’m excited. It feels like a dream come true, really. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do growing up, to go back home to the Philippines,” He added.

Garcia is no stranger to Philippine basketball, having participated in the NBTC tournament in 2018 alongside another Fil-Am guard, Jalen Green, who now plays for the Houston Rockets.

Garcia will be eligible for the Blue Eagles for two seasons, beginning with Season 85 later this year.

In light of the graduation of several of their players, as well as the unexpected departure of primary playmaker SJ Belangel, Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin described securing Garcia’s commitment as a “big boon” to their program.

“We’re left a little bit short in the point guard position,” he admitted. “We have a lot of confidence in Forthsky Padrigao, but it’s a big load to carry for a sophomore.”

“We’re really happy to have Paul, not just for this coming year but for the following season as well. We think that probably nothing could be more critical for our program right now than this signing,” Baldwin said.

Garcia is expected to arrive in the Philippines in late July and may join the Blue Eagles in an August tournament in Japan.