After Jake Figueroa closed his chapter with National University as a UAAP Season 88 Elite Team member, the Figueroa legacy remains in safe hands, with brother Kurl determined to keep the family name thriving at National University Nazareth School.
As Jake prepares to begin his professional basketball career this week with KBL team Ulsan Hyundai, Kurl is charting his own path, emerging as a potential breakout player for the redemption-seeking Bullpups in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
While the 6-foot-4 forward is committed to honoring the Figueroa name at NUNS, Kurl is equally focused on forging his own identity — one that extends beyond what Jake accomplished with the Bulldogs and during his UAAP high school stint at Adamson University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Ang lagi lang niya sinasabi sa akin ay huwag ko raw siya… Kumbaga, huwag ko siya habulin sa taas kasi marami na rin siya na-achieve dito sa NU and kahit nung juniors siya sa Adamson,” Kurl said.
“Kaya dapat daw, gumawa raw ako ng sarili kong pangalan sa loob ng basketball court.”
Driven by that mindset, Kurl has begun to carve out his own role, becoming a key contributor to the Bullpups’ unbeaten start through two games in Season 88. NUNS opened the tournament with narrow victories over the Baby Falcons and the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers.
After averaging just 3.24 points and 3.24 rebounds last season, Kurl has shown a clear leap in production. He’s posted averages of 12.5 points on an efficient 64.71-percent shooting clip, along with 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal so far in Season 88.
He tallied 15 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one block against the Junior Archers, then followed it up with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Bullpups’ opening-day win over the Baby Falcons.
Beyond his continued efforts to refine his game — with Jake remaining a constant source of support — Kurl credited much of his resurgence to NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro, who has watched the Bacolor, Pampanga native evolve from a raw prospect into a reliable piece for the Bullpups.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Kailangan ko lang intindihin at i-embrace yung mga bagay-bagay na ito kasi hindi naman lahat, nabibigyan ng ganitong opportunity. Kailangan naka-anchor pa rin sa sistema ni Coach Kevin yung gagawin namin kasi kami lang din naman yung maglalaro sa loob. Kaya dapat hindi kami lalabas sa tinuturo niya. Doon lang dapat kami sa loob,” Kurl shared.
“Gusto ko lang din na may mapatunayan ngayong taon, kaya ginagawa ko lang din yung best ko sa role ko para sa team ngayon at para rin sa coach ko in coach Kevin, na coach ko na halos ng four years.”
Kurl’s continued development has been a welcome sight for the De Castro-mentored Bullpups, especially after losing 10 key players from their Season 87 roster, headlined by frontcourt mainstays Collins Akowe and Migs Palanca.
For De Castro, Kurl’s steady growth provides a timely boost as NUNS continues to rebuild and redefine itself in its pursuit of UAAP boys’ basketball supremacy, battling perennial contenders such as defending champion University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University–Diliman, and fellow league-leader Ateneo de Manila University.
“Expected ko na ito na talagang tatrabahuin niya. Napag-usapan naman namin lahat ‘yon na kailangan ma-define namin yung roles ng bawat isa at kung paano namin ma-fifill yung void nung mga nawala,” said the young head coach.
“Thankful ako kasi may 15 points si Kurl, tapos may 17 points si Shaun. Tapos with the other players pa like sila Rob Celiz, Mot Matias, at least kahit papaano, total team effort.”
