Dikachi Ududo was inserted into the University of the Philippines lineup for its last two games to shore up its interior defense, but the Nigerian big man has delivered much more than that.
The Fighting Maroons have taken advantage of the new UAAP rule allowing teams to roster two foreign student-athletes (FSAs), provided they can field only one per game. After the first four games of the Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, UP replaced the more offensively oriented Francis Nnoruka with Ududo.
The move has paid immediate dividends, with the Fighting Maroons scoring back-to-back victories over modern-day rivals De La Salle University and the pesky Adamson University.
Before the switch, UP suffered consecutive defeats to the NU Bulldogs and FEU Tamaraws, dropping its record to 2-2.
In those two victories, Ududo delivered on his primary responsibilities of strengthening the defense and securing rebounds while also providing crucial baskets that have made UP’s gamble look like a brilliant move.
“For me, I never place my confidence in myself or the work that I put in. My confidence is in God, and I know he’ll never fail,” said Ududo on Wednesday after UP’s 69-67 victory over Adamson at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Of course, it was never gonna be smooth, but I’m ready to fight through it. That’s how I got here. It was never given to me. He helped me through this, gave me the energy to fight every time,” he added, reflecting on his journey while Nnoruka occupied the FSA spot in UP’s first four games.
Ududo began the season as UP’s backup FSA and was not part of the Fighting Maroons’ lineup last season, when the previous rule allowed teams to roster only one foreign student-athlete. Nnoruka held that spot at the time.
However, Ududo’s resolve and faith helped him overcome those challenges. He continued working hard to prove his worth while making the most of his year away from the lineup to study the game, improve his understanding of basketball, and focus on his academics.
The 22-year-old Nigerian big man tallied five points and 10 rebounds against La Salle. Then he emerged as an offensive x-factor against Adamson, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
UP will look to extend its winning streak to three games on Saturday when it faces University of the East at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Ududo hopes to continue proving his worth as he urges the Fighting Maroons to maintain their grit, much like they did when they erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Soaring Falcons.
“We’re just grateful that we were able to regroup and be able to fight through because that’s just what we wanna do every time, just fight. Whatever happens, just keep fighting,” said the 6-foot-9 center.
