During the first two years of his young collegiate career, Bright Akhuetie fought tooth and nail alongside the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas.
After a disappointing end to their NCAA Season 91 Seniors Basketball campaign — which saw them finish sixth in a tightly-contested Final Four race — the 6-foot-8 Nigerian student-athlete towed the Altas to the Final Four a year later. And he did not let any off-court issues affect his game, as he continued to push inside the court, making it seem that everything was alright.
However, it proved to be too much for the then-19 year old, as he decided to leave Perpetual Help during the off-season.
Still, his love for the Las Piñas-based school was never lost, as he continues to support the Altas during the NCAA Season 93 tournament.
Five hundred eighty-four days since he last donned the colors of Perpetual, Akhuetie once again shared the court with the Altas. This time though he was on the other side, playing for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
“No no, I didn’t do anything special [for this game],” shared Akhuetie. “I wasn’t trying to prove any point. I just wanted go out there and play.
“That was it.”
Akhuetie played just 23 minutes in the contest, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Moreover, the Fighting Maroons were able to rack up their third straight win in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go, 77-63.
The two-time All-NCAA team member was disappointed that he could not play against one of his good friends Prince Eze, who sat out the contest due to fever.
“It was good. I think it would have been better if they had a complete team, like if Prince played so we could have that competiton,” he lamented.
“Still okay though.”
Perpetual, on the other hand, are currently in the midst of a transition. Steering the wheel this time around is new head coach Frankie Lim.
Seeing the Altas under the decorated Lim has Akhuetie happy and at peace.
“I’m happy for the guys.
“I was a player there before and I know everyone there. Now, I can see that they’re happy. You can tell,” the now-21 year old beamed.
