BY ABBY TORALBA
THIS early, reigning MVP Malick Diouf and prized forward Carl Tamayo of the University of the Philippines are setting their sights on redeeming themselves in the 86th UAAP basketball tournament.
The Fighting Maroons failed to defend their title against the eventual champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, losing 68-75 in the winner-take-all Game 3 of their title duel in the last cage wars last Monday.
The 6-foot-11 Diouf admitted he felt sad with their stinging loss to their Katipunan rivals.
“I feel really sad, but that’s life. We played and we fought until the end, but God has other plans, so we just have to live like that and bounce back,” Diouf said.
The 6-foot-7 Tamayo took it as a learning experience and is seeking a big bounce back.
“Masaya ako sa teammates ko. Siyempre lahat ng struggles na pinagdaanan namin ngayong season, talagang inilaban namin. But sometimes you need to learn things the hard way. Hopefully, we learn from it and bounce back next season,” Tamayo said.
Tamayo, also a member of the Mythical Five this season, stressed that “he will come back stronger next season, I’ll come back better.”
The 21-year-old big man also said that he’s not really thinking about the offers playing overseas as of the moment.
“Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa iniisip iyon. I’ll take some rest first and think about it,” Tamayo said. “(I’ll) be ready whatever opportunity comes.”
Diouf is counting on UP’s recruits next season to give them a big boost.
“We still have a lot of recruits. I think we can expect a lot come Season 86,” he said. “Any team (we face), we have to get our revenge.”
