TROY Rike has been declared ineligible and will not suit up for the National University Bulldogs in the upcoming UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball wars.
The 22-year-old center bared the news on his social media accounts on Wednesday, saying his aborted plan to play for the Bulldogs was “due to factors out of my control.”
“The news was devastating to me and I feel great regret that I won’t be able to take the floor with my teammates this season,” he said.
Rike was supposed to be a one-and-done player for NU this season after graduating from Wake Forest University in the United States.
However, sources close to the situation bared that Rike was not able to gain his clearance papers from the Department of Justice which could have green-lighted his stint this year, thus making him ineligible.
Rike, though, voiced his support to his teammates and has not given up on his hopes to play hoops in the country and for NU.
“I’m behind my teammates 100 percent and I’ll be cheering the squad on all season, no matter where the future may take me,” the Gilas cadet said.
“It always has been and will always be my dream to play basketball, the game I love, in the Philippines. I hope to be able to pursue that dream here at NU and get back to playing soon.”
Spin.ph has sought comments from NU and coach Jamike Jarin, but they have yet to respond to our queries as of posting time
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