They stayed, not strayed.

UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball champions Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, Carl Manding, and Alfred Loreto confirmed their return for the UST Growling Tigers, according to a report from Spin.ph on Saturday, April 19.

The six-foot-seven Tiger Cubs captain Buenaflor, who ranked fifth in the NBTC's Top U-19 players in the country, led the locals, averaging 12.58 points and eight rebounds per game.

Buenaflor chose to stay with the España-based squad despite receiving offers from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the University of the Philippines.

Six-foot-two combo guard Bucsit contributed 8.44 points and 3.67 rebounds per game in Season 87.

Six-foot-three wing Manding, a former Gilas Pilipinas Youth standout, added 8.53 points and five rebounds per outing.

Six-foot-six Loreto missed the Tiger Cubs' championship run due to a brain surgery but will be part of UST’s reserve lineup for the upcoming season.

A report from Fastbreak.com on Sunday, April 20, said that the UST camp is working to secure foreign student-athlete Racine Kane amid interest from other schools.

The six-foot-seven Senegalese forward dominated the paint throughout their championship run, averaging 17.18 points and 12.71 rebounds to snag the Finals MVP award.

Two more graduating Cubs, Duke Solon and Jude Javier, have yet to announce their collegiate plans.

The young nucleus look to fill the void left by key departures of Mo Tounkara, Chase Lane, and graduates Migs Pangilinan and Christian Manaytay.