By MARK REY MONTEJO
Loyalty seems to be a thing of the past even in the country’s oldest collegiate league – the NCAA.
Taking a cue from several rising stars in the UAAP, it was big man Shawn Umali’s turn to “turncoat” after bidding goodbye to Lyceum – his home for three years.
His destination is College of St. Benilde – a team desperate to return to the top after years of botched attempts.
Umali’s transfer to CSB, which is being handled by Charles Tiu, was announced by the school on its Instagram account on Monday, Jan. 5.
The Blazers have been looking for big men following the departure of former MVP Will Gozum.
Aproud son of Tondo, Umali, 23, averaged 10 points, six rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game for the Pirates last season.
Umali alongside Enoch Valdez and JM Bravo led Lyceum to its second-place finish in the eliminations but squandered its twice-to-beat advantage against eventual champions San Beda Red Lions.
The 6-foot-3 Umali, however, will miss the centennial season to serve his one-year residency. He won the Most Improved Player in Season 98.
