First-year Arellano University head coach Chico Manabat has yet to meet Chiefs ace big man Cade Flores since taking over as chief tactician of the team last March.
This was bared to Tiebreaker Times by Manabat on Saturday.
“Wala pa kaming balita regarding Cade,” said the former Centro Escolar University head coach.
“Hindi pa siya bumabalik sa Arellano.”
Flores, a 6-foot-4 bruiser, made his Chiefs debut back in NCAA Season 98.
The former Team B player of Far Eastern University was spectacular during his rookie year, averaging 12.47 points, 10.07 rebounds, 1.93 assists, 1.67 steals, and 1.07 blocks per game.
His numbers led him to win a handful of individual awards during the season. Flores took the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors while also being part of the Mythical and All-Defensive teams.
After the season ended, Flores suited up for Pampanga Royce Hotel in the Pilipinas Super League as a guest player.
He normed 3.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 10 games for Royce.
Sources have told Tiebreaker Times is eyeing to enter the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
Without Flores, Arellano has struggled so far in the 2023 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup, losing to Emilio Aguinaldo College (94-80) and Colegio de San Juan de Letran (83-77),
But if Flores decides to come back to Arellano, Manabat will welcome him with open arms.
“Maghihintay kami hanggang mag-NCAA,” he said.
