WITH no 3x3 tournaments to play for at the moment, Malick Diouf will make his Philippine team debut as a naturalized player seeing action in a 5-on-5 meet.
The 6-foot-11 former UAAP MVP from the University of the Philippines has been loaned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to the Strong Group Athletics as it bids for a third straight championship in the coming Jones Cup.
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Diouf takes over the original spot reserved for another naturalized player Ange Kouame, who will be unavailable for the August 14 to 23 event at the Xinzhuang gymnasium in New Taipei City.
The 27-year-old Diouf, born in Senegal, had just been naturalized and issued his Philippine passport last month as part of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3x3 pool.
But no 3x3 scheduled tournaments are calendared at the moment, prompting the SBP to allow Diouf to play for SGA in its Jones Cup campaign.
“He is naturalized for our 3x3 program. Pero sa ngayon wala pa tayong tournaments where he can join kasi puro youth tournaments ang nakapila,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.
“Pati ang Asian Games 3x3 is an Under-23 tournament.”
That paved the way for SGA to tap the services of the Gilas’ latest naturalized player, who won a UAAP men’s basketball championship with the Fighting Maroons in 2022 where he was also adjudged the Finals MVP.
The SGA expressed gratitude for the generosity extended by the SBP.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the SBP especially executive director Erika Dy for allowing Malick to suit up for Strong Group Athletics in the William Jones Cup,” said SGA president Jacob Lao.
“It’s an opportunity we truly appreciate, and we promise to represent the Philippines with pride and do everything we can to make the country proud.”
Diouf is expected to form a towering frontline with 7-foot-4 NBA veteran Boban Marjanovic and Puerto Rican national player Isaiah Pineiro.
“Malick gives us even more size, versatility, and athleticism in the frontcourt. He’s a great replacement for Ange, and he raises our ceiling as a team because he can impact the game on both ends of the floor,” said SGA coach Charles Tiu.
The SGA-Philippine team leaves for the Jones Cup on Thursday.
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