MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles try to stay focused on the task at hand just as another off-court distraction rocked the team, this time involving foreign player Chibueze Ikeh.
Hours after the Eagles clinched a Final Four seat in the UAAP Season 78 men's basketball tourney with a 74-65 beating of University of the Philippines Wednesday night, Ikeh was nabbed by the Quezon City Police District. Ikeh's partner charged him with alleged violation of Republic Act 9262, a law penalizing violence against women and their children.
“This is just a temporary distraction for the team,” AdMU coach Bo Perasol told The STAR Thursday. “We intend to use this adversity as another rallying point in our campaign this season.”
Ikeh’s legal entanglement happened a couple of weeks after his teammate John Apacible got embroiled in a “drunken outburst” on the road. Apacible later apologized and was suspended by the Ateneo team for the remainder of the regular season for his action.
“Kung ang basis ay yung nangyari kay John before, wala naman naging adverse effect at naging rallying point pa nga (In the previous case of Apacible, it didn’t have an adverse effect on the team; on the contrary, it served as a rallying point),” said Perasol. “I’m still positive and I feel we’re strong enough to hurdle this latest adversity.”
Ikeh spent the night at QCPD criminal investigation and detection unit’s detention facility. He was released Thursday after posting bail and started to get ready to suit up in AdMU’s upcoming big game against rival La Salle on Sunday.
“Ikeh is in the campus already,” said Perasol Thursday afternoon. “He will definitely play for us this Sunday.”