Collins Akowe continues to dominate the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
On Saturday, the 6-foot-10 Nigerian big man hauled down 29 rebounds in National University Nazareth School’s 84-76 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School to maintain solo second.
Akowe’s rebounding total is a tournament-record, breaking Justine Baltazar’s 27 in the Bullpups’ 78-58 win over the DLSZ Junior Archers on February 19, 2016.
“Wow!” were the only words of Akowe upon knowing of the feat he had achieved.
No longer surprised is Bullpups head coach Kevin De Castro with the string of performances the 18-year-old has done so far, saying that he is already being programmed for the Bullpups in a couple of years.
“Kay Collins naman, given yun. Sa practice nakikita ko naman. Siya na pinaka malaki ata this season kaya makikita talaga dominance niya,” said De Castro, himself a former Bulldog.
“Aside from that, happy ako sa kung panu siya nagpeperform kasi ayaw niya mapagalitan siya ni Coach Jeff (Napa). Mino-mold na rin namin siya for college.”
Akowe though is not satisfied.
He is out to break the 30-rebound barrier.
In league history, only UP Women’s Basketball’s Favour Onoh has achieved the feat when she grabbed 30 rebounds during their 88-80 in overtime against UST last November 22.
“Right now, I’m not yet satisfied. My goal is to break the UAAP record,” Akowe said.
“Records are meant to be broken.”
