Reigning back-to-back NCAA Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year Allwell Oraeme has allegedly left the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, according to an interview by ABS-CBN Sports with coach Atoy Co.
“May masamang balita. Actually, ayaw ko pa sana munang ipagbigay-alam, pero nandirito na e,” Co said.
“Wala nang Oraeme.”
The 20-year-old Nigerian student-athlete has become a beloved figure in Mapua, as he helped lead the Cardinals back to the Final Four after a five-year slump back in the 91st season of the league.
In his first two years with the Cardinals, the 6-foot-9 big man became the NCAA’s iron man, playing an average of 35.27 minutes in 36 games played. He posted norms of 16.0 points on a 50.48 percent shooting clip, 20.42 rebounds, and 2.72 blocks per contest, leading the Cardinals to back-to-back Final Four appearances.
In addition, he has bagged numerous individual crowns in the NCAA, including the Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Valuable Player honors in Season 91, while repeating as MVP and DPOY the year after.
Though Oraeme will come back home to Nigeria, as the 65-year-old mentor disclosed, the player shared that he had never told the PBA legend that he won’t be coming back.
“I told him that I will be going back home [to Nigeria] but I didn’t tell him I won’t be coming back [to Mapua],” Oraeme told Tiebreaker Times.
During last year’s off-season, multiple schools have tried to lure Oraeme away from Mapua, but he still decided to stay with the Cardinals. And once again, Co is alleging that the same thing is happening this year.
But according to Oraeme, he and Mapua’s athletic director Melchor Devina have been in constant communication regarding this matter.
“I also told the athletic director that I have not been in contact with any school,” Oraeme stated.
“If I happen to be [in contact with other schools], I will let Mapua know and everything will be done the right way.”
And he is doing this because of the opportunity given to him by Mapua.
“I love Mapua. That’s all I can say now.”
