Nigerian student-athlete Bright Akhuetie was conspicuously absent during the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas’ loss against the Mapua Cardinals that sent the former down to the fourth seed entering the Final Four.
According to Perpetual head coach Jimwell Gican, the school’s management has imposed a suspension on the 19-year-old big man.
“Sinuspend kasi ng school si Bright. Kumbaga disciplinary sanctions imposed by the school kasi may ginawa kasi siya na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa management,” Gican shared.
Akhuetie, who has been averaging 18.4 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, was sorely missed by the Altas in the loss to Mapua. The mentor, however, did not divulge why the big man has been suspended, only saying that it was an “internal” matter. Moreover, he is not sure whether he can return for the Final Four that is set to start next week.
“Hindi pa namin alam kung makakabalik siya next week. Internal kasi yung nangyari [kaya] depende pa sa management ng school,” he admitted.
Gican, though, remains hopeful that the Altas will be able to survive the Final Four if Akhuetie’s suspension will be extended.
“Kaya naman namin kahit wala si Bright kasi simpleng laro lang naman ang basketball. Five on five lang yan pero iba pa rin kung nandiyan siya. Mas madali kami nakaka-score,” he asserted.
