FILE – UST big man Adama Faye against UE defenders. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Struggling University of Santo Tomas will have to play out the remainder of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament without its Senegalese center Adama Faye.
Faye had already flown back to Senegal to continue his recovery from a “nagging back injury,” as per UST’s official publication The Varsitarian on Thursday night.
Assistant coach Japs Cuan had already revealed a few weeks ago that Faye has been dealing with a back injury.
“I think he feels something on his back and I don’t know the extent but he said he can’t move much so we’re just hoping he recovers,” said Cuan.
The 6-foot-8 Faye only managed to play two games for the Growling Tigers this season due to health issues.
UST has struggled mightily without Faye, who had a promising campaign last year and was expected to have an even better stint in Season 86 before the injury.
So far, the Tigers have only one win to show through nine starts with only five games left in the elimination round.
Faye averaged 11.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last season.
With Faye out, UST will continue to rely heavily on Nic Cabañero, who ended the first round as the league’s top scorer averaging 20.6 a game.