The woes continue for University of the Philippines even after the conclusion of its UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball campaign. 

Still reeling from the painful Finals defeat against the De La Salle Green Archers, the Fighting Maroons should face the inevitable — the departure of graduating players in skipper CJ Cansino and big man Malick Diouf.

UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde was honored to have had the reliable duo of Cansino and Diouf in the roster during the school’s three consecutive finals stint. 

Although Monteverde took the title loss in stride and refused to stress over the future of the program, it remains a huge question how well the squad can cope without their leaders.    

“Ang laking bagay. I mean, CJ Cansino and Malick Diuouf, it’s an honor to be able to coach these players. Very talented. 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. Sa panahon ngayon, hindi na ganun kadali maghanap ng ganun. ‘Yun ang malaking bagay na nakita ko at pasasalamat ko sa kanila,” said Monteverde. 

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.”