Akhuetie relishes playing alongside rival coach, players

NCAA All-Star MVP Bright Akhuetie. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Like a kid unleashed, Bright Akhuetie made the most of his time in the NCAA All-Star Game on Friday and shone for the West All-Stars in its 111-77 victory.

“I actually just came here to have fun and do what I have to do. It’s just a plus,” he said.

Being on the receiving end of nifty passes from the team’s deep pocket of playmakers, the Nigerian big man dazzled the crowd with his thunderous dunks en route to a 16-point, nine-rebound performance.

He was named as the All-Star MVP, the first foreigner to claim such honor.

“Stuff like these make people get carried away. I’m just going to look at it like it’s a plus. I’ll still work harder and achieve what I really want. This is not for the team right now, it’s just for me. Although I’m representing Perpetual, it’s really not for Perpetual. It’s just a plus,” he said.

The annual spectacle also allowed Akhuetie to rub elbows with rivals on the court, as he played alongside Arellano’s Jiovani Jalalon and got mentored by San Beda’s head coach Jamike Jarin.

“It was fun. I enjoyed playing with Jiovani. We just tried some plays on the floor and it was fun,” he said. “On coach Jamike, we were just joking almost all the time. He still realizes that business is business, that we play and have fun but still try to win. At the end of the day, I really enjoyed it.”

Akhuetie made it clear that this wouldn’t be the last time he will see action in NCAA All-Star, even hinting a possible Slam Dunk appearance next year.

“I’ll think about it,” he said. “I’m not really 100-percent to dunk right now but I’ll work on it probably
next season.”