“Germy Mahinay will play this Saturday.”
That was the declaration of University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers assistant coach Nap Garcia on Monday afternoon, during the UAAP Season 81 press conference held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Mahinay, who was part of the Growling Tigers contingent that went to the MOA Arena, transferred from the Lyceum Pirates to UST last July. It was a controversial move, as Lyceum had already penciled the 6-foot-5 big man in their lineup as a reserve.
Mahinay alleged that Pirates head coach Topex Robinson had guaranteed him a spot in the final 12 of the Pirates for the NCAA Season 94 Seniors Basketball tournament. That promise, according to him, was not fulfilled.
“Lumipat ako, nawala yung usapan namin ni coach Topex.
“Sa part ko masakit din kasi, na pinangakuan ako sa harap ng parents ko na lineup ako sa season. Opening day, sinabi sa akin na as of now, reserve ka for us. Wala naman sinabing reason,” said the product of the San Beda Red Cubs program.
With this, Mahinay immediately confided in Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo.
“Ang sabi naman ni coach Aldin, wala namang problema dahil sabi ni coach Aldin makakapaglaro ako this season,” added Mahinay, who will have a reunion with fellow Red Cubs JM Lagumen and Sam Abu Hijleh.
The UAAP’s Executive Board have already cleared Mahinay to play in the 81st Season of the league. The eligibility meeting was set last Thursday.
Now cleared, Mahinay is out to prove that he deserves to be in a Team A squad of a collegiate team.
“Siguro ganun yung gagawin ko. Ipapakita ko na medyo mali yung ginawa nila, ipro-prove ko sila wrong.”
