Akomo (left) and current UV reinforcement Bassieru Sackour.
contributed
AS THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas faced off against the University of Santo Tomas for the right to be named champion in the recent Kim Lope Asis Mayor’s Cup Basketball Invitational 2017 in the City of Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, a familiar face stood opposite them.
Standing 6-foot-9, long-limbed and with seemingly boundless bounce, this was former Green Lancer reinforcement Steve Akomo, who transferred to the España-based squad last year in a bid to bring his talents to a much broader stage.
In an exclusive talk with Cebu Daily News, Akomo said he relished the challenge of facing off against his former teammates and the school they represented, which gave him his first shot at collegiate basketball here in the Philippines when they tapped him to be their import back in 2012.
“I was glad to play against my former team. It was a learning process. The game was great and the challenge was something great too and physical as well,” said the Cameroonian, who is expected to suit up for the Tigers in the UAAP this season.
Though the Tigers got beaten, 89-90, by the Green Lancers, Akomo reported that he was happy with how his team played.
“We all played well especially my teammates with who I am with now and I’m happy that they got out there and learned something new in that tournament,” shared Akomo, who is one of several additions to a UST team that lost backcourt cogs Renzo Subido and Mario Bonleon during the offseason.
Akomo also vowed that his team would be much better, if and when they tangle with UV in the future.
“UV won the championship! Congratulations to them! But it is not the end of everything. Next time, we will come back.”