For the past week, UE’s Senegalese student-athlete Alex Diakhite has been confined at UERM due to dengue fever.
After seeing the Red Warriors badly miss him during their 80-91 loss to the Adamson Soaring Falcons, the 22-year-old big man wanted to be there for his team when they faced the DLSU Green Archers — even just for moral support.
“Sa amin din naman, yung import namin came from UERM. Tinanggal yung dextrose niya mga 12:30, so we had to rush him to the dorm and get [him] dressed. He got here late also,” said UE active consultant Lawrence Chongson.
“Actually, hindi pa nga siya gusto palaruin ng doktor. Pero sinubukan ko lang siya gamitin to boost our morale and in case of emergency lang.”
Figuring in a close game against La Salle, Chongson broke the emergency window twice.
The first was during the closing moments of the third canto, when UE were clinging to a 70-63 lead. Then, when the game reached fever pitch, Chongson once again plugged the 6-foot-9 center to help lock down La Salle.
“I wanted to play today. I wanted to show to my teammates that I care,” admitted Diakhite, who played a total of two minutes and 49 seconds.
It did not end up for naught, as UE stunned La Salle, 89-88, thanks to a game-winner courtesy of Rey Suerte.
And Diakhite vowed to be back come their game against the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday.
“Yeah, next game I’ll be okay.”
