Henry Galinato to Play for UP in UAAP Season 84

Henry Galinato made headlines this season for his failed dunk attempt in Game 2 of the Fighting Maroons season 85 finals loss against Ateneo, but next season is sure to bring more of his talent. Bo Perasol signed Galinato after being impressed by him during their Fil-Am Nation Select private workout session.

Early Life and Education

Henry Galinato was raised in Delano, California. He attended Chavez High School before spending four seasons of junior college basketball at Benedictine University Mesa in Arizona where he competed in the West Coast Tournament of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as an average 6-foot-6 center with 13 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in his senior year.

UP Fighting Maroons have announced their signing of one-and-done prospect Henry Galinato for this season of UAAP Basketball. Galinato committed through Fil-Am Nation Select who conducted a private workout led by Bo Perasol (UP’s head of basketball operations) in the US for him and two other prospects. Galinato will bolster UP’s roster which has seen several key players depart, especially as some top performers from last season have left.

Professional Career

Bo Perasol of University of the Philippines secured Henry Galinato as a replacement for team captain and reserve swingman Zavier Lucero’s departure by signing him to Benedictine Mesa of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics last season, where he averaged 13.0 points and 9.6 rebounds on an average season.

Galinato made his Fighting Maroons debut during Game One of their UAAP Season 85 finals rematch against Ateneo and was an immediate force. His physical presence made life miserable for Ateneo’s post players who could never escape his physicality.

Galinato hails from Delano and stands 198 cm/6’6″. He attended Arizona Benedictine University Mesa for four years of junior college before competing in the NAIA West Coast Tournament tournaments for four more.

Achievement and Honors

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons have officially secured Henry Galinato as a one-and-done Filipino-American prospect, who will become eligible to play in UAAP Season 84. A 6-foot-6 forward from Benedictine University Mesa in the US, Galinato averaged 13 points and 9.6 rebounds with Mesa Redhawks this past season and said he looks forward to supporting Maroons winning another championship title.

Christian Luanzon, however, reiterated that Galinato’s missed dunk during their Game 2 loss against Ateneo did not decide the final score as there were other contributing factors that ultimately resulted in their defeat.

Personal Life

Galinato would eagerly anticipate playing against one of Chiang Kai Shek’s UAAP or NCAA opponents and took every opportunity he had to beat them and prove himself and his team just as capable as they were. He delighted in proving this theory right.

He brought that same mindset when he joined University of the Philippines for UAAP season 85, where he quickly wowed both his new coach and basketball fans alike with his intimidating presence in the paint.

He made his presence felt by starting as one of UP’s few starters against Ateneo, playing an integral part in their 72-66 win. Additionally, he stood out in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup presented by Chooks-To-Go against Gilas Pilipinas, scoring six points and collecting three rebounds over 11 minutes of game action.

Net Worth

Henry Galinato has decided to play at the University of the Philippines for their UAAP Season 84 squad, after being recruited by Fil-Am Nation Select. Galinato joins a deep Fighting Maroons frontcourt that also includes Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea and Bismarck Lina as freshmen players who should help him boost their frontcourt play.

UP rookie Jalen Johnson became famous after his high-profile block against Adamson’s Zavier Lucero became a viral meme on TikTok.