After struggling the first couple of seasons, Chibueze Ikeh has been proving his worth in UAAP Season 80 for Ateneo in his third season.
The Nigerian center has emerged as one of the key cogs for Tab Baldwin in his system, seeking to go one step closer than what they did last season. And last week's performance highlighted his improved play.
Against the University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday, he contributed seven points, eleven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in under 25 minutes, while also helping limit his counterpart Steve Akomo to just six points, nine rebounds, and two assists.
But it was his production in Saturday that shone the brightest, as led the Blue Eagles with 18 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, and two block in just under 24 minutes of action against National University. He also showcased a new dimension in his game by converting a couple of three pointers.
Those performances proved to be enough for the media to select Ikeh as the UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week, presented by Chooks-To-Go, beating out Papi Sarr of Adamson, and Ron Dennison and Arvin Tolentino of Far Eastern University for the nod.
Addressing the media after the 96-83 win against the Bulldogs, he credited the coaching staff for his development. Ikeh says, "Coaches have been teaching me other facets of the game such as shooting, dribbling. I just found myself open and I just had to shoot it and went in."
He adds, "I'm not feeling any pressure. It's just a game. If I miss, that's okay. Coaches are teaching me every aspect of the game and that's giving me the confidence I need."
When asked about that development, lead assistant Sandy Arespacochaga was not surprised, as "The coaches have been giving him (Ikeh) the green light to shoot if he has a good rhythm to shoot it."
Ikeh and the rest of the Blue Eagles aim to end the first round undefeated against Ben Mbala and the defending champions La Salle Green Archers on October 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Nigerian center has emerged as one of the key cogs for Tab Baldwin in his system, seeking to go one step closer than what they did last season. And last week's performance highlighted his improved play.
Against the University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday, he contributed seven points, eleven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in under 25 minutes, while also helping limit his counterpart Steve Akomo to just six points, nine rebounds, and two assists.
But it was his production in Saturday that shone the brightest, as led the Blue Eagles with 18 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, and two block in just under 24 minutes of action against National University. He also showcased a new dimension in his game by converting a couple of three pointers.
Those performances proved to be enough for the media to select Ikeh as the UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week, presented by Chooks-To-Go, beating out Papi Sarr of Adamson, and Ron Dennison and Arvin Tolentino of Far Eastern University for the nod.
Addressing the media after the 96-83 win against the Bulldogs, he credited the coaching staff for his development. Ikeh says, "Coaches have been teaching me other facets of the game such as shooting, dribbling. I just found myself open and I just had to shoot it and went in."
He adds, "I'm not feeling any pressure. It's just a game. If I miss, that's okay. Coaches are teaching me every aspect of the game and that's giving me the confidence I need."
When asked about that development, lead assistant Sandy Arespacochaga was not surprised, as "The coaches have been giving him (Ikeh) the green light to shoot if he has a good rhythm to shoot it."
Ikeh and the rest of the Blue Eagles aim to end the first round undefeated against Ben Mbala and the defending champions La Salle Green Archers on October 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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