CHICAGO - In his maiden voyage as UST 's foreign student athlete for men's basketball in Season 87 of the UAAP, Mo Tounkara was pretty impressive.
Averaging 13.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game, the 6-foot-8 Malian was instrumental in the Growling Tigers' run to the Final Four.
Although his averages reflected so much promise, his game also showed chunks of immaturity and inconsistency that demanded growth for the 21-year old import.
While once relishing a season-high of 25 points, he also faltered to a low of 5 points while coughing up 2.5 turnovers against only one dime per outing. Tounkara was also suspended for one game after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls in UST's 94-87 second-round loss to La Salle.
DOUBLE TROUBLE.
The suspension was a double blackeye. It abruptly disqualified Tounkara from winning any individual awards and it contributed immensely to UST's fateful 7-7 finish after a tenacious 4-3 start.
"I need to control myself sometimes.I got too much in the game," he told reporters shortly after the incident.
Unfortunately, it looks like Mo will have to take that journey of self-discovery elsewhere.
According to multiple sources, he is unlikely to return as UST's FSA (foreign student athlete) in Season 88 of the UAAP.
Unless some repentance and forgiveness happens between now and next September, the Tigers will parade a new import in their quest to win a title for the first time since 2007.
It didn't help that Tounkara was a harmless participant in UST's 78-69 Final Four loss to UP where he only had eight points and eight rebounds while hitting only 4-of-12 from the field.
The holiday season is a time of love and giving, and the hope is that a reconciliation is reached to allow a fresh second chance for Tounkara at UST.
U.E. IN LIMBO.
After deciding not to renew the expiring contract (January 1) of coach Jack Santiago, the University of the East's search for a replacement has reached a temporary dead end.
After much contemplation, UE's target Cholo Villanueva reportedly told the school last week that he isn't leaving his current posts which includes being the head coach of the La Salle women's team.
READ Jack Santiago out, Cholo Villanueva in as UE Warriors coach?
Villanueva's loyalty to the La Salle community was a sticking point in his decision.
No word yet about potential candidates but I was told that the school will pick the next coach while the team's main booster, Tanduay, will assign the rest of the coaching staff.
Stay tuned.
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