CAMEROON's Emmanuel Mbe failed to play in the first half due to a jersey problem on the opening day of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.
Mbe failed to play in the first half for National University because he showed up with a shirt that didn’t have his No. 14 on the front.
“We were also caught off guard,” said Altamirano. "We asked the commissioner (Ato Badolato) if he could play but he said no."
The six-foot-seven Mbe's extra jersey, which had all the necessary markings, had to be transported from NU to the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Good thing somebody stepped up for NU, another Cameroonian in Henri Betayene.
The rookie came up big especially on the defensive end with four shot blocks in the first half.
“Henri played very well for us. He actually dictated the tempo in the first quarter,” Altamirano said.
Mbe went on to play in the second half and finished with four points and five rebounds.
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