A day after parting ways with National University, Nigerian center Collins Akowe has narrowed his choices for the next chapter of his young basketball career to two UAAP schools.
After receiving offers from all eight UAAP universities — including a bid to stay at National University — sources familiar with the situation told Tiebreaker Times that the Season 86 Boys’ Basketball MVP is now deciding between De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas.
According to one of the sources, Akowe is eager to secure immediate playing time wherever he commits — something that was uncertain at NU due to the return of Senegalese big man Omar John.
The Green Archers pursued Akowe, pitching the 19-year-old on the opportunity to learn under the guidance of head coach Topex Robinson and alongside a formidable frontcourt featuring Mike Phillips, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo.
However, the Growling Tigers recently made a strong late push for the high school standout, who averaged an impressive 20.94 points, 19.28 rebounds, 2.56 assists, and 1.96 blocks per game in his senior year.
The source noted that no less than Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio is personally spearheading the recruitment of Akowe, seeing him as an immediate game-changer who could bolster UST’s core of Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, Gelo Crisostomo, and Amiel Acido.
A key factor in negotiations with both La Salle and UST is the possibility of Akowe taking on the foreign student-athlete slot in Season 88 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Tournament this September.
At La Salle, Akowe’s main competition for that role would be Bright Nwankwo.
Meanwhile, UST’s pool of potential FSAs is led by Peter Osang — who is currently averaging 8.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil Preseason Cup — along with Season 87 Finals MVP Racine Kane, Joseph Kumbai, Christian Tabeth, and Precious Offoma.
Akowe is expected to make his decision sometime next week, the source added.
