THE UST Growling Tigers have officially selected 6-foot-8 center Mo Tounkara from Mali as their foreign student athlete (FSA) to bolster their interior for UAAP Season 87, multiple team sources told the Varsitarian.
Tounkara steps in to fill the void left by Adama Faye, who exited the team midway through Season 86, resulting in the Growling Tigers finishing the year with an all-Filipino lineup and a 2-12 record.
“It took a lot of effort and hard work since I came here in UST,” Tounkara told the Varsitarian. “I showed up every day in the practices. I’ve done a lot to be where I am. I should be ready coming into the season.”
UST had kept the decision to recruit Tounkara under wraps, as the team was evaluating options between athletic Nigerian center Peter Osang and the skilled Tounkara, according to head coach Pido Jarencio.
“Si Osang, athletic guy, pero limited ang skills. Hindi katulad ni Tounkara, medyo hindi athletic, pero skills-wise, meron siya,” UST head coach Pido Jarencio told the Varsitarian. “Kaya pinagpipilian namin kung sa athletic guy kami o do’n sa skills guy na makakatulong sa ibang aspect no’ng kulang natin sa team.”
Tounkara, 21, arrived in the Philippines in 2022 and committed to the Growling Tigers in late August of the same year under then-head coach Bal David.
The Malian big man has demonstrated versatility during the Growling Tigers’ Filoil EcoOil Preseason campaign, contributing to two of UST’s three tournament victories.
He is anticipated to address the team’s defensive needs, a crucial addition given that UST allowed the highest points per game among UAAP teams last season at 81.1 points.
“Mo is very steady. He knows a lot of schemes, and he is very familiar with our game plans,” UST assistant coach Juno Sauler told the Varsitarian. “He is one of the most versatile in the team.”
Tounkara’s ability to run the floor will also enhance the Tigers’ revamped offense, led by former UAAP champion Forthsky Padrigao and last year’s top scorer Nic Cabañero.
“We have amazing players, fun players in the team. It is great to play with those guys. Their vision and mentality make us good as a team,” Tounkara said.
In addition to Tounkara, the Tigers also feature Filipino bigs Echo Laure, who showed promise last season despite UST’s poor performance, and Gilas Youth standout Zain Mahmood, both standing over 6-foot-5.
The UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament will commence on Sept. 7 at the Araneta Coliseum. Rob Andrew L. Dongiapon with reports from Bjorn Del B. Deade and Brenn Allen L. Flores
