University of the Philippines suffered a bevy of departures after the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Finals.
Besides the graduation of Zavier Lucero, Henry Galinato, and Brix Ramos, Carl Tamayo and James Spencer also decided to go pro.
Now, only Malick Diouf, Joel Cagulangan, and the returning CJ Cansino are the seniors left.
That is why the Fighting Maroons went on a splurge during the off-season, recruiting big-time prospects left and right.
There’s Chicco Briones, Francis Lopez, Luis Pablo, Seven Gagate, and Mark Belmonte.
And Diouf was impressed with how the rookies stepped up for him when he was saddled with fouls during their 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup game against Adamson University last Sunday at EAC Gym.
“I really appreciate it because, you know, I was out in the third quarter, but they did their best to maintain the lead, and I really appreciate the way they were playing,” said Diouf, the reigning UAAP MVP.
“They’re young, but the way they played the match was by moving the ball well, playing together, defending together, and offensively and defensively was good.”
Diouf only played seven minutes in the game.
But everyone else was able to showcase themselves in the game.
Belmonte tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, and two steals while Francis Lopez got 10 points and five rebounds.
Chicco Briones pinched seven points, five rebounds, and two steals while Pablo and Gagate combined for seven points and six rebounds.
“I think we just did our best, executed the game, the plays, because we’ve been practicing, and we have a lot of new players,” he shared.
“So we’ve been practicing for like more than five months right now, so we just executed what the coaches asked.”
Diouf expressed confidence in the rookies’ abilities to overcome challenges and regain the championship title this season.
“Yeah, I’m confident, I’m confident about all of them, all of the rookies. I know they can compete, and they will do their best,” he said.
“So I don’t have any thoughts about them, just good — positively, so [I know] they’re gonna do their best.”
With his last year for UP, Diouf vows to strive harder and work towards achieving their desired goal.
The Fighting Maroons are determined to keep working until the start of the season and go for the championship title.
