Karim Abdul. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas will miss the services of its star center Karim Abdul in a crucial tiff against hard-luck University of the East in the final day of the first round of eliminations Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6 Cameroonian import Abdul, who won’t suit up due to viral infection, is averaging close to a double-double for the Growling Tigers and his presence on both ends of the floor will be sorely needed against the Red Warriors’ size upfront with reinforcements Charles Mammie and Moustapha Arafat in tow.
Abdul had a sub-par game – scoring just 10 points and grabbing only five rebounds – in a 70-83 loss to defending champion De La Salle last Sunday and later revealed that he played through flu.
UST is currently at 3-3 following back-to-back losses to Ateneo and La Salle while UE is in dire need of a win to get itself in the thick of things after dropping four close games in a row following two easy wins against lightweights Adamson and University of the Philippines.
The Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, first reported the news. Abdul has also been said to be confined at UST hospital since Monday.
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