Troy Rike’s future with NorthPort remains uncertain as he left for the United States in the off-season of the Philippine Basketball Association.
NorthPort team manager Erick Arejola revealed that is no longer with the team, prompting them to look for somebody who can supply the production that they will miss.
Rike could have been part of the future of the Batang Pier.
The 6-foot-8 Rike came from an elite National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program — Wake Forest University — before suiting up for National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Then, he had a solid performance in various 3×3 events, prompting the Batang Pier to tap him with the 11th pick of the 2020 Rookie Draft.
Arejola said Rike still has one more year in his contract, prompting them to retain his services if and when he decides to return from his temporary hiatus.
“He’s still in the US, but we kept his rights,” wrote Arejola in a Viber message.
With Rike — and Robert Bolick, who signed a contract with the Fukushima Firebonds in the Division II of the Japan B. League, out, William Navarro is being primed for a bigger role.
After all, the 6-foot-5 former Ateneo de Manila University forward just signed a two-year contract extension, making him pumped up and ready to go by the time the season-opening conference unwraps.
Aside from Navarro, also expected to step up are Arvin Tolentino, Prince Caperal and JM Calma as well as veterans Arwind Santos and Jeff Chan.
