Just like everyone else, San Beda team manager Jude Roque was surprised with the announcement made by B.League Division II team Aomori Wat’s that it had signed incoming San Beda super senior Kemark Carino.
Carino had already notified Roque that he was pondering about going pro last Tuesday. It was only after the team’s official announcement that the 6-foot-8 native of Mangatarem, Pangasinan.
“Saddened and surprised by Kemark’s decision to turn pro,” Roque shared to Tiebreaker Times.
Carino was expected to be San Beda’s big man for the NCAA Season 97 tournament. Moreover, the 23-year-old would have the league to his own since foreign student-athletes have been banned by the Grand Old League.
A former Team B player in Ateneo, Carino made his Red Lions debut in Season 93.
Carino played a total of 49 games for the Red Lions, norming 2.18 points and 1.17 rebounds per game.
Carino is also part of Gilas Men’s pool for the FIBA Asia Cup.
However, the pandemic has changed things for Carino, who is a breadwinner to his family.
That is why Roque fully understands Carino’s decision to turn pro despite having two years of college eligibility left.
“We can understand also his reasons, especially that the pandemic made college basketball still hanging,” said Roque.
