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NCAA: Atoy Co unsure of return to Mapua next season

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/04/17/atoy-co.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- Veteran coach Atoy Co is unsure if he will return to handle the Mapua University Cardinals next year, as his contract is set to expire in November.Co bared the development on Tuesday, after steering the Cardinals to a 91-78 rout of Arellano University in their final game of the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament.“I really don’t know yet, kasi (my contract is) expiring this November,” Co said when asked what was next for the team.“I do not know yet. Wala pa. Everything is still hanging (in the air),” he added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2018/10/16/mapua-ends-ncaa-94-high-note-blowout-win-vs-arellano-48427">READ: Mapua ends NCAA 94 on high note with blowout win vs Arellano</a></li></ul>Co has coached Mapua for six seasons, leading them to the Final 4 in Seasons 91 and 92 on the strength of star center Allwell Oraeme, who won MVP honors in those seasons.But Oraeme’s departure ahead of Season 93 sent the program into a tailspin. They won just three games last year, before beginning to recover in Season 94 where they finished with a 6-12 win-loss slate.Asked if he would want to stay and continue coaching his alma mater, Co said: “Actually, ayaw ko matapos sa ganito.”The PBA legend admitted that losing Oraeme had been a massive blow to them. The Nigerian big man was good for a double-double every game, and had instances where he would grab over 20 rebounds in a contest.“May gitna kaming dume-depensa, hindi basta nakakalusot ang kalaban,” Co said of Oraeme.Had Oraeme still been in Mapua, Co believes his team would still be a Final 4 contender. However, the big man is now in Florida, with no signs of returning to Mapua.To make matters worse for Co, he had no other foreign student-athletes in the pipeline, unlike other schools.Nothing is set in stone for Co, who also serves as the commissioner of the UNTV Cup aside from his duties as head coach.“I don’t know yet,” he stressed. “It’s still hanging.”(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

Veteran coach Atoy Co is unsure if he will return to handle the Mapua Cardinals next year, as his contract is set to expire in November.

Veteran coach Atoy Co is unsure if he will return to handle the Mapua Cardinals next year, as his contract is set to expire in November.

NCAA: Atoy Co unsure of return to Mapua next season

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NCAA: Atoy Co unsure of return to Mapua next season

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 16, 2018 09:19 PM PHT

Read More:

NCAA

basketball

Atoy Co

Mapua Cardinals

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