FORMER UAAP MVP Malick Diouf may have already been rubbing elbows with former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins while winning championships in the region as a pro, but he’ll always call UP his home.
So just weeks after winning a championship in The Asian Tournament as one of the reinforcements of Zamboanga Valientes, Diouf was back training with the Fighting Maroons as he continues to help the powerhouse squad prepare for the upcoming UAAP Season 87.
Diouf, who led the Fighting Maroons to their first UAAP title in 36 years alongside two runner-up finishes, didn’t hold back as he went at their newest foreign student-athlete Dikachi Udodo, and young big Sean Alter among others in a competitive training session inside their Varsity Training Center.
For Diouf, it’s his way of giving back.
“This is my home. UP is my home. If I don’t have anything to do I will just join them, I’m gonna help them. This is my family already,” the UAAP Season 85 MVP shared.
PBA next?
And while he’s rooting for the Fighting Maroons to return to the pinnacle of collegiate basketball, he’s also keeping himself in shape as an opportunity to play in the PBA is already open for him.
The PBA announced that it’s scrapping the height limit for the Commissioner’s Cup, meaning that the 6’11 Diouf can now be called up by teams looking to add a defensive anchor who has a soft touch around the rim.
It seems like Diouf has only gotten better since his time with the Fighting Maroons with a solid performance as one of the imports for the Valientes.
In one game, he even dropped 32 points and 29 rebounds in a game where Cousins suited up.
Having been in the Philippines for quite some time now from his time at Centro Escolar University, to his last five years with University of the Philippines, it would be the full circle moment for Diouf to play in the country’s top flight pro league.
Should Diouf make it to the pro ranks, he'll be the first foreign student-athlete who played college in the Philippines to make it to the PBA.
Former UAAP MVP Ben Mbala was once considered by then Converge coach Aldin Ayo, but things didn't materialize.
“I’m not closing any doors. I've been here for years now. I think if I get any chance or any call from any of the teams I’m open and I’m definitely ready,” he shared.
Diouf stated how he’s been learning from his fellow imports at the Valientes, not only from Cousins, but even from his former teammates – journeymen who already pack a lot of experience playing in different countries.
“The transition [from the UAAP to the pros] was really good. I’m getting a lot of experience playing with DeMarcus [Cousins] and even in the whole tournament, playing with a lot of players who already have a lot of experience. One of my teammates before DeMarcus, Nick Evans, he’s played 14 years as a pro. So I can say it’s been a good experience for me,” Diouf stated.
“In Zamboanga, I have to say thank you to my coaches for trusting me a lot since Day One. I was there to give my best, help my team and reach the goal of winning the championship and bringing it to Zamboanga.”
But he’s definitely cherishing the experience of playing with a four-time NBA All-Star in Cousins.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot from him. Sometimes we have one-on-one drills. He was teaching me a lot of pivot moves,” he shared.
“He’s a good brother. Outside the court and inside the court.”
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