By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde has acknowledged the graduation of skipper CJ Cansino and big man Malick Diouf will create a gaping hole in the team – offensively and defensively.
Although Monteverde took the title loss in stride and refused to stress over the future of their program, it remains a huge question how well the squad can cope without Cansino and Diouf.
“Ang laking bagay. I mean, CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf, it’s an honor to be able to coach these players. Very talented,” said Monteverde.
For sure, Monteverde is going to miss the dedication Cansino and Diouf showed throughout their stints with the team apart from the way they embraced the role of being big brothers to their younger teammates.
“How they are for the team, ‘yung pagiging kuya nila. ‘Yun ang malaking bagay na nakita ko eh. Alam naman natin ‘yun talent nila. Pero ‘yung klase ng [dedication] na binigay nila for the team – guidance, patience, pagiging totoo sa kasama,” said Monteverde.
Those traits, Monteverde, are hard to see these days.
“Sa panahon ngayon, hindi na ganun kadali maghanap ng ganun. ‘Yun ang malaking bagay na nakita ko at pasasalamat ko sa kanila,” he added.
Cansino returned for his final year with UP after helping the squad end a 36-year title drought in Season 84, hoping to pull off the same feat as a parting legacy, while UAAP Season 85 MVP Diouf played through injuries until the very end.
Although a couple of talents will be coming in, the 52-year-old tactician found himself still reeling from the departure of the pair, particularly of the 6-foot-11 Senegalese, who was one of the keys to UP’s recent emergence to the top.
“Meron naman [dadating]. We have a few. Although siyempre filling in Malick’s shoes will be a tough challenge whoever [will replace him]. Rest assured naman, the kind of culture we have naman sa UP. Lahat naman ibibigay namin to be able to fill ‘yung pag alis ni Malick. At the same time, preparing the next guy for him. Pagtutulungan naman namin,” said Monteverde.
Monteverde is now expecting holdovers Harold Alarcon, JD Cagulangan and Gerry Abadiano to keep the Fighting Maroons in safe hands come another redemption season.
“Siyempre sila Harold (Alarcon), Gerry (Abadiano), it will be their fourth season next year. Kumbaga dati sila ‘yung binibigyan ng payo, this is their chance naman whatever they learned or mga naging experience nila whether good or bad doon sa mga future [players] na dadating sa amin. What things to avoid, what things to work on.”