8 September 2018
By Niel Victor Masoy
There’s a saying that you can’t get too high off a win (you can’t get too low off a loss) and UP Fighting Maroons’ prized center Bright Akhuetie definitely know the adage.
The Nigerian big man had a smashing debut in the UAAP as he poured in 15 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks to help his team demolish the UE Red Warriors 87-58, Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The win just supported the notion that UP is a strong contender this UAAP Season 81 but Akhuetie said they can’t let their rousing victory get the better of them and that the Katipunan-based squad must continue to put in the work.
“We can’t really get too excited right now. It’s just the first game so we just have to go back and work hard and see how far we go,” the 6-foot-8 center told reporters in a post-game interview.
They should continue to work hard, indeed, as UP is set to clash with the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, September 12 – the same day in which Akhuetie will turn 22 years old.
He wants a win as a birthday gift.
“I trust my coaches, we’re just gonna go back and prepare. I want them to give me a birthday gift which is a win on Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, the former NCAA-Perpetual star is glad to be able to play competitive basketball again after serving his one-year residency with UP.
“Yeah, thank God I finally got to play. Right now I just have to get used to the process of getting back and playing hard,” Akhuetie shared.
Asked about the difference of the UAAP and the NCAA, Akhutie said aside from the game venue and fan support, nothing much.
“UAAP is really big, you can tell from the arena and the crowd. You can tell it’s really big, but it’s still the same basketball,” he uttered.
“I just conditioned myself. I just told myself go out there and play. It’s the same basketball,” he added.
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