After the Ateneo Blue Eagles swept his University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 81 men's basketball finals on Wednesday, Bright Akhuetie said he could have missed Game 2 because of a knee injury.

But Akhuetie showed what being a part of the Fighting Maroons means as he opted to suit up despite being hurt. He initially put a brace to protect his knee, only to find out he couldn't wear during the game.

The Game 2 start was delayed for several minutes after Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin contested the implement used by Akhuetie, which is not allowed under FIBA rules. Akhuetie then went on to remove it on his own.

"Coach Tab Baldwin didn't want me to play," Akhuetie said.

"I removed it and showed them I'm still gonna grind through it," he added. "What's on my head was I got injured by your player the least that you can do is let me wear that and play if it's gonna help me play."

Akhuetie and the Fighting Maroons suffered a 99-81 loss to Ateneo, a game where he chalked up 19 points.

He added that he feels that basketball took a toll on his body this year.

"I'm feeling abused by basketball. It really hurts but I tried. I just wanna go there and make sure I gave in what I could to win. Too bad it didn't go that way," Akhuetie said.

While the Nigerian big man acknowledged that UP exceeded expectations, he said that didn't show on the basketball court. This, according to him, made it impossible for them to beat the defending champions.

"They beat us hands down. We have to give it to them. There's no way we can beat Ateneo with how we played out there," Akhuetie said.

Right now, the slotman of UP will focus on his studies and recuperate from his injury before returning again to the hardcourt.

When asked if he is looking forward for a rematch in season 82, "let's wait and see."

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