James Kwekuteye of San Beda University and Enoch Valdez of Lyceum of the Philippines University have yet to come up with definite plans following their Final Four exits in Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Kwekuteye said he has yet to decide whether to stay in school or join the Philippine Basketball Association after the Red Lions absorbed a sorry 61-62 setback to College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four last Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Filipino-Canadian guard said he will reach out to his agent to plot his next move since he still has one playing year in the country’s oldest collegiate league.
“Who knows, I might come back next year. We’ll see. I’ll first talk to my agent and we’ll go from there,” said the 24-year-old Kwekuteye, who is regarded as one of the best playmakers in the collegiate level.
“I still have one playing year left so who knows? Stay tuned.”
Should he decide to stay, Kwekuteye will assume a leadership role in a Red Lions side that will lose only one player in JB Bahio.
The Red Lions will also welcome the return of JV Gallego from a knee injury as well as Collin Dimaculangan and Fil-Canadian Jomel Puno, giving them a handsome chance of regaining their lost glory.
Valdez faces a similar dilemma, admitting that he has no idea on what the future holds for him and his emerging basketball career.
“I’m still not sure about next year. If an opportunity presents itself, I’ll surely take it,” said Valdez following their 58-67 loss to reigning champion Letran College in the semifinals.
“But I really want to stay and win a championship in the NCAA. I’m still undecided at the moment.”
Valdez’s return will give the Pirates a lot of firepower with the likes of JM Bravo, Shawn Umali and Mac Guadaña running the show and Gilbert Malabanan entering his second year as head coach.
