WONDERING why Perpetual star Bright Akhuetie sat out Friday's match against Mapua in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament?
Altas coach Jimwell Gican revealed the Nigerian reinforcement was slapped with a suspension by the school as a disciplinary action for an infraction it declined to reveal.
"Sinuspend kasi ng school si Bright. Kumbaga disciplinary sanctions imposed by the school kasi may ginawa siya na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa management," said Gican.
Without the hulking import, Perpetual led by as much as 17 points against Mapua but folded up in the fourth quarter in the midst of a 15-1 attack by the Cardinals.
Mapua won, 67-63.
"Kaya naman namin kahit wala si Bright kasi simpleng laro lang naman ang basketball. Five-on-five lang yan pero iba pa rin kung nandiyan siya. Mas madali kami nakaka-score," Gican said.
But will he play in the Final Four playoffs next week?
"Hindi pa namin alam kung makakabalik siya next week. Internal kasi yung nangyari [kaya] depende pa sa management ng school," he said.