UNIVERSITY of the East will have another foreign player boosting its depleted lineup as Moustaph Arafat will already be eligible to play for the Red Warriors in Season 77 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
School athletic director Rod Roque said the Cameroonian center is now qualified to suit up for the team this 2014 after completing his eligibility requirement.
Arafat’s presence will give UE another foreign player to team up with Sierra Leonean center Charles Mammie, who already suited up for the team last year.
“Dalawa na ngayon ang maglalaro (na foreign players). Si Arafat at si Charles Mammie dahil qualified na siya (Arafat),” said Roque, who is also the incoming secretary treasurer of the league as UE is the host school of Season 77.
The UAAP allows teams to have two foreign players in its roster but only allow one to fielded in at a time.
While serving his residency, Arafat has been playing for the Warriors in other tournaments such as the Fr. Martin Cup.
Arafat’s entry is considered a boost for UE since the Warriors will generally parade a new-look lineup following the departure of veterans Lord Casajeros, JM Noble, Jai Flores, JR Sumido, Adrian Santos, and Ralf Olivares.
“Generally, 80 percent ng team, bago. Malalaki at magagaling naman sila pero kulang pa sa exposure. ‘Yun ang trabaho ni coach Boycie (Zamar) na i-expose sila,” said Roque.
The school official also hinted UE will be recruiting transferees from other colleges although he refused to bare their names.
“May gustong lumipat pero nothing is final,” Roque said.
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