Ateneo’s Chibueze Ikeh. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The Ateneo Blue Eagles are bracing for their second-round duel with fierce rival La Salle on Sunday hoping to regain their focus after another off-court controversy involving foreign reinforcement Chibueze Ikeh.
The Eagles’ Cameroonian center was arrested by the Quezon City police Wednesday night for alleged violation of Republic Act 9262, a law penalizing violence against women and their children—just hours after the Eagles subdued University of the Philippines, 74-65, Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum to clinch a Final Four berth in UAAP Season 78.
Ikeh posted bail after spending the night at the QC warrant section at Camp Karingal.
“Obviously our attention has been driven away from La Salle (because of the incident),” Perasol told the Inquirer over the phone. “But the team can use this adversity as a rallying point to get better.”
The incident involving Ikeh comes just two weeks after another Ateneo player, John Apacible, was caught on video in a drunken outburst. Apacible apologized for the incident but was still suspended by the team for the remainder of the regular season.
Perasol said Ikeh will suit up against La Salle, a team desperate to keep its Final Four hopes alive.
“It’s been traumatic for him (Ikeh),” said Perasol. “We were also up all night just wanting to know how he is. For now, we don’t know how he’ll respond. But he knows that everyone in the team is rallying behind him.”
The Eagles, who hold an 8-4 slate, are on track for a twice-to-beat semifinal bonus with second running University of Santo Tomas just a game ahead.
“This is a temporary distraction for the team,” Perasol said. “I feel we’re strong enough to hurdle this latest adversity.”
Perasol said the recent controversies have strengthened the bond among the Eagles.
“We’ve been put in a pressure cooker,” said Perasol. “But this could fuel us to get better on Sunday (against La Salle).”