Collins Akowe will likely be crowned as the Most Valuable Player in the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
However, being the MVP is not the goal for the 18-year-old Nigerian.
“I promised my coach I would give him the championship. I made that promise from the very beginning,” said Akowe.
“I need to fulfill my promise. I need to give it all I have to win the championship.”
The road to the finals has been long and challenging for National University Nazareth School.
During the elimination round, the Bullpups faced two defeats against the Adamson Baby Falcons and another one against the UST Tiger Cubs.
But in the Final Four, the Bullpups stepped up against defending champions FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws.
That paved the way for an 80-69 victory to advance to the finale.
For his part, Akowe scored 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and blocked two shots.
“Happy ako sa kanila kasi binigay nila yung hearts out nila. Hindi pa namin iniisip tong Finals kasi hindi pa tapos yung goal namin,” gushed De Castro. “Ang goal talaga namin is hanggang dulo.
“Yung Adamson, hindi pa kami nananalo diyan. Paghahandaan namin sila. Sila yung heavy favorites so we will try to work on it. The job is not done yet kasi grabe pa ang pagdadaanan namin to get this championship.”
Akowe vowed not to rest on his laurels, aiming to end the school’s four-year title drought.
“I’m not satisfied. The goal is the championship,” the 6-foot-10 big man said.
“To bring the championship back to National University. That’s the goal.”
