FEU to invoke ‘Troy Rike-rule’ on former NCF big man Emman Ojuola

It seems that the Far Eastern University Tamaraws have found their man who will man their paint.

According to multiple sources, FEU will field former Naga College Foundation Tiger Emman Ojuola for its UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball campaign.

Photo from Emman Ojuila’s Facebook

With Ojuola already holding a degree from NCF, the 22-year-old Nigerian will be eligible to join the Tamaraws immediately because of the league’s rule on student-athletes taking post-graduate studies.

The rule, known commonly as the Troy Rike rule, states that “A student-athlete from a non-member school who is pursuing graduate studies in a member school shall not be subject to residency requirements.”

The rule covers both local and foreign student-athletes.

Ojuola played for the Tigers from 2015-2018, leading NCF to four championships in the Naga City Charter Intercollegiate Basketball tournament. Moreover, the Brian Ayo-mentored squad made it to the Elite Eight of the PCCL for the last two years.

After graduating from NCF last April, the 6-foot-7, 250-pound big man was tapped by the Taguig Generals in the Metro League. He averaged 21.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game to help Taguig finish in second place in the league’s South Division.

Since then, Ojuola has been seen training and playing for the Tamaraws — including in a tune-up against Gilas Pilipinas Youth last June 20.

FEU though fielded Cameroonian Patrick T’Chuente in both the PBA D-League and the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.

Ojuola though will have tough shoes to fill as his predecessor Prince Orizu helped lead the Tamaraws to four straight Final Four appearances.