The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will likely remain competitive in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament for the foreseeable future.
With big man Bright Akhuetie on his final year, the coaching staff has found a suitable replacement for Akhuetie once his playing time with the team is up.
The team is working on getting 20-year-old Senegalese Maodo Malick Diouf, whose transfer could give UP a fighting chance they need in the coming years.
There are now talks for the Senegalese center to transfer to UP from Centro Escolar University, and the discussion involves the coaching staff and their main supporter NoweheretogobutUP.
Akhuetie will still be with the Fighting Maroons with teammates Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero, after both committed to continue to play for the Maroons next season.
The 6-foot-11 Diouf is one of CEU’s workhorses, who stepped up after the graduation of slotman Rod Ebondo.
Diouf has averages of 16.7 points on 46-percent shooting, 19.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.9 blocks, 2.0 steals in CEU’s runner-up finish in the 2019 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons have added Kobe Paras’ father Benjie in the coaching staff.
Paras, a former MVP during his time with the UP Maroons, will be joined by fellow alumni Ronnie Magsanoc, Joey Guanio, and Xavier Nunag.
The Fighting Maroons have been in the Final Four for the last two years, and they reached the finals two seasons ago.