The National University Bulldogs will feature a deep and loaded lineup for the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Monday afternoon, third-year Bulldogs head coach Jamike Jarin disclosed that Troy Rike was able to secure clearance to play this season.
“Troy Rike will play this Saturday,” declared a defiant Jarin.
Last August 29, the 22-year-old Rike announced on social media platform Twitter that he would not play this season. The reason? Securing clearance papers from the Department of Justice.
Rike did everything he could to play for the NU Bulldogs this season.
Last Saturday, the 6-foot-7 product of Wake Forest went back to America to pick up the papers he needed.
For their part, NU asked for an extension from the UAAP to submit their lineup up until September 5. The UAAP Board of Trustees gladly obliged.
Rike will only play for one year in NU.