The University of Perpetual Help DALTA System Altas, since the start of the summer league, have yet to experience a full line-up.
Going into the NCAA season, the team has been badly battered by injuries left and right.
“Ang dami naming injury,” first year Perpetual head coach Jimwell Gican shared. “Si Flash Sadiwa point guard, si Jon Yuhico isa pang point guard, puro point guard e. Ankle sprain pareho.”
The injury bug also hit the wingers of the Altas as defensive specialist AJ Coronel and Ric Gallardo are also recovering from sprains. “Kahit si Prince Eze din nag-rerecover pa din,” he furthered.
Not wanting to go down to a 0-2 hole to start the season, the Perpetual staff “forced” 19 year old Cameroonian student-athlete Bright Akhuetie to return for their encounter against the JRU Heavy Bombers.
“Talagang finoforce namin siya makabalik,” Gican said about Akhuetie. “Alam naman natin maliliit kami. Kelangan namin yung serbisyo niya.”
Akhuetie did not disappoint in his season debut, dropping 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting and grabbing eight boards. Moreover, the big man tested his bum knee in the third frame as he successfully jammed a reverse dunk on Abdulrazak Abdulwahab.
“I had a sprain in practice a week before the season,” Akhuetie said. “I’m not even supposed to play but I try this on [knee brace] and I think I feel better.”
Even in posting monster numbers and leading the Altas to its breakthrough win this season, Akhuetie admitted that he is just at 40 percent capacity. “Chamba lang,” the humble center closed.
