Sold on the idea of leaving a legacy in a school that is mired on a three-decade UAAP basketball title drought, prized Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie has committed to join University of the Philippines, boosting the Fighting Maroons’ stock when he suits up a season from now.
Accompanied by UP coach Bo Perasol, the 6-foot-8 Akhuetie, a two-time NCAA Mythical Five member, secured his release from Perpetual Help yesterday with no less than school owner Anthony Tamayo giving his blessing on the transfer.
The Diliman-based school, which hasn’t won a UAAP crown since 1986 and last appeared in the Final Four in 1997, beat Ateneo and La Salle in the recruitment battle for the Nigerian, who averaged 17.6 points and 12.1 rebounds last season for the Altas.
“It’s the only way we can turn around the program,” said Perasol on acquiring Akhuetie. “At UP, we’re starting from nowhere and he has a chance to leave a legacy.”
Perasol, who coached Akhuetie in a commercial league last year, said Akhuetie welcomed the challenge of making UP a title contender again in the UAAP.
“He could have gone to teams with winning programs like Ateneo or La Salle and it would have been easy for him,” said Perasol. “He knows that it will take a deeper level of commitment for him here to turn around the program.”
Akhuetie, who played two seasons for the Altas, will sit out UAAP Season 80 in September to comply with residency requirements.
Perasol said Akhuetie can still play for two seasons for the Fighting Maroons starting in Season 81 in 2018.
The UP mentor said Akhuetie’s entry couldn’t have come at a better time since some of the players from this season’s squads will be on their third or fourth year on the squad, making the Fighting Maroons contenders.
“He (Akhuetie) still has time to mature and our other players will have more experience by the time he makes the UAAP lineup,” Perasol said.