Fil-Am basketball player detained by BI for being an ‘illegal alien’

Rike admitted that this incident is making him rethink his residence in the Philippines. (File Photo: @troyrike/Twitter)

National University (NU) Filipino-American basketball player Troy Rike reported that he was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and was detained for 24 hours because of questions of his nationality.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Rike shared that after the Bulldogs’ game against La Salle last September 19, he was immediately served a warrant of arrest by the BI claiming that he was studying in the country ‘illegally’ because of improper visa. The next day, he was able to provide proper papers proving his dual citizenship, which also meant that he has a right to study in the country.

However, he stated that the experience was traumatizing. “It was tough, I’m not gonna lie. I was a bit emotional. I’ve never been arrested before,” the 6-7 foot basketball player explained in the interview.

He elaborated that he did not know what was going on, he was forced to sleep on the floor, and he had to be escorted to the bathroom, adding, “The guard even asked to have a selfie with me. I guess there were some funny moments, but overall, it was a really crazy argument.”

Rike admitted that this incident is making him rethink his residence in the Philippines.

He elaborated on Sportsdesk, “I’m questioning my whole future here. I’m a basketball player. I don’t even know what I’m doing. It was pretty surreal.” He continued, “I think there are people who don’t want me to play or have selfish interests, whatever that may be. At least, that’s my understanding because everything I’ve been told, it’s just common sense. This just doesn’t happen to people.”

Last July, Rike generated a lot of social media buzz for his protection of Australian basketball player Chris Goulding during the Gilas brawl, earning a total of P200,000 for his act of kindness.