ASIDE from team captain CJ Cansino, the University of the Philippines (UP) will have huge shoes to fill left by anchor Malick Diouf in a new era next season.
Mr. Diouf, who manned the frontline of the UP Fighting Maroons in their three finals appearances, played his last season albeit with a different result he wanted for a fitting swan song.
The 6-foot-11 Senegalese pride ended his collegiate career with a historic championship to end a 36-year title drought in Season 84, where he was also named Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), Season MVP in Season 85 and a Mythical Team selection this season.
Mr. Diouf registered a double-double average in his collegiate career, including 12.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks this season to steer UP to its third finale stint in as many seasons with him.
He saved his best for last with 21 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block but the Fighting Maroons fell prey to eventual champions De La Salle University Green Archers in Game 3, 73-69, of the UAAP Season 86 finals.
“Filling in Malick’s shoes will be a tough challenge for whoever the next guy after him,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Taking Mr. Diouf’s place is Nigerian Dikachi Udodo from Guang Ming Colleges in a bid to ensure UP’s steady rise as the new collegiate powerhouse in the country today.
For Mr. Diouf who started his career with Centro Escolar University, the professional world is the next stage though he’s still unsure where that may be as he looks forward to healing up his bevy of injuries first.
“For now, before thinking about the next, I need to rest well. I have a lot of injuries and I was playing with that. I need to fix it after this and think about my next step,” said the soft-spoken big man after nursing fractured wrist and fingers throughout the season.
One possible route for Mr. Diouf is the path taken by Ateneo’s Ange Kouame, the UAAP Season 84 MVP and Season 85 Finals MVP, after going pro in France.
But wherever he may be, Mr. Diouf said he’ll always bleed Maroon with optimism on the future of his brothers from Diliman.
“I think they’re gonna have a good future. I think they’re gonna go far and I wish they’re gonna go far. And like what CJ said, we will be there for them, anywhere. If they need help from us,” he beamed. — John Bryan Ulanday