Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

Collins Akowe disappointed by UAAP’s MVP ruling, vows to lead NUNS to title


When the UAAP held its press conference for the upcoming Collegiate Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Collins Akowe was focused elsewhere—preparing for National University Nazareth School’s matchup against Far Eastern University-Diliman at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Bullpups emerged victorious in a hard-fought 59-57 win, securing their eighth straight victory in the high school boys’ basketball tournament.

But what happened next caught Akowe completely off guard.

As he made his way to the press room, the 19-year-old Nigerian was informed of a new UAAP ruling that bars foreign student-athletes from winning the league’s highest individual honor—the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Under the revised system, if an international student-athlete leads the statistical points race, they will receive the newly created Best Foreign Student-Athlete award, while the highest-ranking local player will be crowned MVP.

The ruling was approved during UAAP Season 86 and implemented this season, but according to Akowe and Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro, they were not informed about it by the school before the season began.

As the reality of the situation set in, the 6-foot-10, Grade 12 senior lowered his head in disappointment.

“I’ll give you my honest truth. I really don’t know what to say because I’m speechless,” said Akowe.

“I never saw this coming.

“If they had told us before the start of the season, it would have been a different scenario,” he furthered.UAAP86-HSBB-COLLINS-AKOWE-0742 Collins Akowe disappointed by UAAP’s MVP ruling, vows to lead NUNS to title Basketball News NU UAAP  - philippine sports news

Akowe made history last season as the first foreign student-athlete to win the MVP award in the high school division.

#ReadMore  PBA: San Miguel deals Arwind, all-Filipino NorthPort tough loss

This year, he was on track for back-to-back MVP honors, averaging 21.14 points, 18.43 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.57 steals, and 1.86 blocks per game for a total of 108.143 statistical points after the first round.

Now, with the new ruling in place, he will go down as the last foreign MVP in UAAP history while also being on pace to become the inaugural Best Foreign Student-Athlete awardee. He is also still eligible to make the Mythical Team.

Naturally, Akowe felt a mix of emotions—hurt, frustration, and disappointment.

“I’ll just let the UAAP do their thing. They have their reasons. There’s a reason for everything. Let them do what they want,” he said.

“I’m here to play basketball. The goal is not the MVP. If it happens, that’s a bonus. The real goal is to win the championship and bring it back to Nazareth School. If MVP comes, fine. But my thoughts on that? Let it be. It is what it is.”

De Castro, who has been like an older brother to Akowe for the past three years, shared in his disappointment.

“Medyo nalungkot ako para sa kanya because he was aiming for back-to-back MVPs. Tama yung sinabi niya—dapat sinabi na from the start of the season. For my part, may disappointment, pero like I told him, kung hindi mo man makuha yung MVP, ang goal natin is the championship. Bonus na lang yung MVP,” said the young head coach, a former NU Bulldog himself.

“We’re still rooting for him. The goal is the championship—para buong team ang masaya.”

For Akowe, this unexpected change has only fueled his motivation.

#ReadMore  Schrock embraces new challenge of leading United City in ACL

With the MVP title no longer an option, his focus is sharper than ever—leading the Bullpups back to the top after two seasons of falling short.

“It’s added motivation, of course. The MVP is now out of the picture. Now, the other teams should… I’m being humble, but they should watch out. No more MVP? I’m coming for them.”

Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

News

After a runner-up finish in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, many doubted University of Santo Tomas’ chances in Season 87, especially after...

News

The rhythmic pounding of drums and the thunderous ‘Go USTe’ chant will forever be one of the most, if not the most, iconic cheers...

News

Defending champion National University maintained its dominance over University of Santo Tomas in a thrilling rematch of last year’s Finals. The Lady Bulldogs once...

ADMU

Scoring 34 points or more in a UAAP women’s volleyball game is a rare feat — so rare that it’s happened only five times...

AdU

Nina Ytang couldn’t sit still. For two matches, the fourth-year middle blocker agonized from the sidelines as the University of the Philippines stumbled through...

AdU

University of the Philippines (UP) overcame Shaina Nitura’s record-setting performance to edge Adamson University, 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10, and close the UAAP Season...

AdU

University of the Philippines withstood Jude Aguilar’s 27-point explosion to snap a five-game skid with a gritty 20-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 victory over the...

News

Jade Disquitado had one opponent he couldn’t seem to conquer: University of Santo Tomas. But when the perfect moment arrived, the National University sophomore...

Advertisement