For the first four years of his collegiate career, Troy Rike has experienced playing against some of the world’s best with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. But in just nine games with the National University Bulldogs, the versatile 6-foot-7 forward has experienced a wholly different ball game in the UAAP, according to him.
“Yeah, I guess I’m just gonna be honest about that. I have no problem with the physicality, be physical,” shared Rike, who is also part of the 23 for 2023 Gilas cadets.
“At Wake Forest, guarding June Mar [Fajardo], guarding Japeth [Aguilar], it’s my job every day to be physical but I even tweeted about it. Be physical and look me in the eye.”
Sunday afternoon against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, Rike could be seen warding off forearms and knees. And he alleged that his defenders like Ira Batiller, Germy Mahinay, and Enrique Caunan were also hitting his knees.
“I’ll be honest, I’m not even complaining but hit me in my chest, don’t go after my knees,” lamented Rike, who had 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists to help NU pick up a 69-61 win over UST.
“That’s how I hope to make a living one day. You know what I mean? You look me in the eyes, you have a problem with me, it is what it is. But the extra stuff, the elbow in the free throw or going after someone’s knees, there’s no need for that. Be physical and look me in the eye.”
There’s no particular player Rike was calling out. All he wants right now is for the league to look into this and for the student-athletes to look after each other’s welfare.
“I don’t want to go around and call people dirty and go after anyone’s names. But maybe it is something that I have to get used to but like I said, I don’t like that. You can be physical but don’t be sneaky. Like sneaky stuff,” the 23-year-old stressed.
“That is why I got so mad because he kneed my knee. That’s how I hope to provide living for my family one day. You can’t do that.”
