Also cleared were two foreign players, Cameroonian Karim Abdul of University of Santo Tomas, and Nigerian Alinko Mba of University of the East, but on condition they submit certificate of birth authenticated by Phl embassy/consular office from their country of origins by Aug. 11.
As pointed out in the comments section of the article, Alinko Mbah is actually with the UP Fighting Maroons, not the University of the East Red Warriors. That would have been fine and dandy, but the Star saw fit to do a follow-up article today about that misprint, saying:
The University of the East is fielding an All-Filipino men’s basketball team in the UAAP season 74, believing in and relying on the capability of Filipino youths.
The university belied a STAR’s story dated July 6, which mentioned UE as one of the schools fielding teams reinforced with foreign players. The report partly read, “Also cleared were two foreign players, Cameroonian Karim Abdul of University of Santo Tomas, and Nigerian Alinko Mba of University of the East, but on condition they submit certificate of birth authenticated by Phl Embassy/Consular office from their country of origins by Aug. 11.”
UE stressed it has no foreign student from Nigeria named Alinko Mba.
The school said its men’s basketball team comprises all-Filipino student-players. Its coaching staff with head coach Jerry Codiñera is also all-Filipino.
Whoops.
In other Alinko Mbah related news, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that UP has secured the necessary documents clearing Mbah to play for the season. That leaves only UST's Karim Abdul lacking certification. The Tigers have until the end of the first round to comply or forfeit the games he plays in.
