NU big Joe Gulapa moves to Mapua due to no FSA in NCAA

Original photo source: SMART Sports

The Mapua Cardinals added a quality big man in its depth pool as former National University recruit Joe Gulapa has moved to their university, he confirmed to ALL-STAR Magazine.

The Filipino-Nigerian player stands at 6-foot-7 and will do one year of residency in 2024 before playing his four remaining years of NCAA eligibility in Season 101.

Gulapa said his main motivation to move to the NCAA was the absence of foreign student-athletes as he feels this will allow him to earn playing time and be effective on the basketball court as a member of the Final Four-contending Cardinals.

The 21-year-old Pampanga native was lined up in NU’s UAAP Season 86 roster but was rarely used. He earned more playing time in offseason tournaments such as Pinoyliga and Filoil plus the UAAP 3×3 competition.

Gulapa is hopeful that his transition to Mapua will provide new opportunities for his career.