Despite his possible non-inclusion in Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas, who are bound for the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup in China next week, UP Men’s Basketball Team’s foreign student-athlete Bright Akhuetie still remains optimistic regardless of what might transpire for him in the coming days.
This comes after head coach Chot Reyes revealed on Thursday night that the University of the Philippines-transferee might not be able to suit up for Chooks-to-Go, as he is still serving residency before getting to play in the UAAP a year from now.
“I don’t know if I can join them but I think they’re trying to find out,” said the 21-year-old big man after the team’s practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig. “So I’ll know as soon as possible if I can join the team or not.
“I just wanna keep my fingers crossed.”
Akhuetie has represented the Philippines twice in FIBA 3×3 cagefests. Playing for Chooks will be his first time to play for the country in a five-a-side setting, and that is why he wishes he can still suit up for the tourney in Chenzhou.
“I really wanna play,” said six-foot-seven Nigerian.
“The tournament is really gonna help me so I’m just gonna keep my fingers crossed.”
Still, Akhuetie is preparing himself for what might happen next, that he will just accept what his fate will be — whether or not he will play.
“Whatever it is, I’m just gonna take it,” he expressed. “Because I know when one door closes, another one opens. Because I won’t want anything to go wrong with playing for my school next year [either]. That is something I don’t want to miss.
“But it’s still gonna be okay.”
