The UP community can exhale.
According to University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol, Bright Akhuetie has been cleared of any major injury after the bad fall he suffered during the third quarter of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Finals last Saturday.
“No major injury. Swelling na lang ang pain,” the third-year UP tactician shared.
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 crumpled to the floor in pain.
The Most Valuable Player of the season eventually returned to the game with 7:04 left, finishing with five points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Still, Perasol is unsure whether Akhuetie can compete come Game Two against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
“Day-to-day ang assessment. There’s still swelling. He will have to undergo therapy sessions.”
The transferee from Perpetual Help averaged 17.69 points, 14.13 rebounds, and 2.63 assists per game entering the Finals.
UP look to extend the Finals series to a winner-take-all Game Three come Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
