The Mapua Cardinals will have a tough hill to climb
According to Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals head coach Atoy Co, the team is set to lose both reigning two-time MVP Allwell Oraeme and gunslinger Darrell Menina for the upcoming NCAA campaign as the two student-athletes are facing “family problems.”
“[Si] Menina nagkaroon ng family problem kaya nagpaalam muna. Pero part pa rin siya ng team. Si Oraeme naman medyo down, may problema ata sa pamilya din,” the PBA legend said after Mapua absorbed a 49-64 loss to the Saint Benilde Blazers.
“Pero magpapatuloy pa rin sila sa pag-aaral sa Mapua.”
Oraeme averaged 16.0 points, 20.0 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game last season, while Menina posted norms of 8.9 points and 3.3 assists. The two helped lead the Cardinals to the Final Four.
Still, Co guarantees that the two will come back to Mapua for Season 94.
“Pag-pahihingahin siya ng one year, tapos ang kundisyon ko is enroll, continue to study and I will still give you a little allowance for lodging,” Co said about Oraeme, as he also apologized to Oraeme for insinuating that the Nigerian would transfer to another school.
“But you have to practice three times a week, something like that. On your free time, practice ka. Kasi it cannot be na totally hindi ka magpa-practice. Mawawala ka sa kundisyon, mawawala ka sa basketball, mawawala ka sa timing.”
On the other hand, Mapua’s Cebuano floor general will be back as well.
“Next year, he’ll be back,” Co promised.
