Bad news for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The mountain just got higher for the upset-seeking Fighting Maroons, as Bright Akhuetie was stretchered off the court during the third frame of Game 1 of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Finals.
With 6:31 left in the quarter and UP trailing 44-50, Ivorian student-athlete Angelo Kouame was boxing for position against Akhuetie. The soon-to-be-named Most Valuable Player fell down, clutching his left knee.
The 6-foot-8 Nigerian had to be subbed out of the game as he grimaced in pain.
Akhuetie had already tallied five points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block during the first 20 minutes of action.
Akhuetie returned to the bench with 38.1 seconds remaining in the quarter with an ice pack wrapped around his leg. He was plugged in by Bo Perasol’s staff with 7:04 left in the game.
The transferee from Perpetual Help averaged 17.69 points, 14.13 rebounds, and 2.63 assists per game entering the Finals.
