Player-coach brawl mars Perpetual Help Altas practice

MANILA, Philippines – All is not well for the Perpetual Help Altas on the eve of their first trip to the NCAA Final Four in the post-Aric Del Rosario era. First, they lost two consecutive matches to San Beda and Mapua respectively, and now their top player and head coach are at each other’s throats.

First year head coach Nosa Omorogbe and forward-center Bright Akhuetie clashed during practice on Wednesday, September 21.

According to eyewitnesses, the two Nigerians had a scuffle when Omorogbe was incensed with what he perceived to be the non-interest of Akhuetie take part during the drills.

“He (Akhuetie) was suspended because of an attitude problem,” said Omorogbe, the former Altas center turned head coach. “He got into a fight with me.”

Omorogbe said Akhuetie prefers not to practice “and only waits for the scrimmages. During practice, he wasn’t joining the drill so I told him that he can leave the gym. And he said ‘don’t ever talk to me like that. And don’t tell me to leave the gym because you do not have the authority to do so.’”

The coach alleged that Akhuetie pushed him and he shoved back, which led to him breaking a chair while the player went for the stick (from a mop). The two tangled and exchanged blows before security officers were able to separate the two.

Akhuetie said he wasn’t feeling well during the match against San Beda as he had a fever and a bad cough.

“During the practice, I was having a difficult time because of my condition and I informed the physical trainer about how I was feeling. But I was there. And Coach pushed me twice before I pushed back.” 

The player also alleged the coach hurled a few expletives toward him, which caused him to lose his temper. He also said that Omorogbe threatened to further inflict bodily harm on him.

Akhuetie, who is currently third in the MVP statistical race (behind Arellano University’s Jiovani Jalalon and Letran’s Rey Nambatac), has had major disagreements with Omorogbe since the latter took over from Del Rosario at the start of the year.

It has led to some benchings of Akhuetie during the summer.

The entire basketball and volleyball teams witnessed the fracas. According to athletes who refused to be named, they said it was disappointing to see this happen and that it has also hurt team morale.

“We just want to play basketball and try to make the finals,” said one player who was disappointed that his team isn’t playing to its full potential given the rift between its center and head coach.

Omorogbe said Akhuetie is still with the team but was suspended for the last match.

“I don’t care how he plays or what his decision is.” – Rappler.com