NCAA: Lastimosa leaves CSB due to 'misunderstanding'

College of Saint Benilde will be missing a key piece of its team after its top player Carlo Lastimosa, last season’s NCAA Rookie of the Year, left following a “misunderstanding" between his family and school management. CSB Management Committee representative Henry Atayde confirmed the news although he didn’t specify what exactly the issue was but he said that management is still talking with Lastimosa’s parents to resolve the issue. “There was a miscommunication between the management and his parents with regards to policy of the school. But the door is still open for him to come back," said Atayde. Lastimosa is the team's top scorer averaging 14.7 points a game and led the Blazers to a 5-8 record tying their win total from last season. He once scored 30 points this season against Jose Rizal University. “We are still trying to save the situation but we will always do what’s good for the boy," Atayde added. Lastimosa flew home to Cagayan De Oro to speak with his family before deciding whether to come back to the team or not. Lastimosa’s absence could be crucial as CSB is still in the hunt for the Final Four as the Blazers are a half-game behind fourth place Mapua. The Blazers will take on another team that still has a chance of making it to the Final Four in Jose Rizal University on Monday. There are rumors that Lastimosa will transfer to another NCAA school but Atayde said that there is a rule that bars a player from moving to another school if he plays for an amateur league like the PBA D-League. Lastimosa played for PC Gilmore in the PBA D-League last conference. Lastimosa is a nephew of Alaska stalwart Jojo Lastimosa. -OMG, GMA News