Life has a funny way of turning rivalries into allegiances.
Just months after experiencing heartbreak to end his high school career at the hands of University of Santo Tomas, Collins Akowe now finds himself wearing the same yellow-and-gold jersey that denied him a championship — and, in another twist of fate, squaring off against his best friend and former National University Nazareth School teammate, Migs Palanca.
For most of his senior year with the Bullpups, the highly touted Nigerian rookie imagined his future only in navy blue and gold.
After all, he had already spent two seasons representing NU, a school that had become his second home.
But destiny had other plans.
Instead of suiting up for the Bulldogs, Akowe made the unexpected leap from Jhocson to España, joining the very program that toppled him in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Finals.
“I think I’ve mentioned before that I never saw myself playing for UST.
“I never envisioned that. But I am grateful to be here — it’s a great atmosphere, a great community, and I love everyone here, man,” Akowe said after debuting with 29 points and 17 rebounds to power the Growling Tigers past defending champion UP Fighting Maroons, 87-67, on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The irony deepened when Akowe and Palanca, his “brother” from their NU days, took different collegiate paths: Akowe to UST, Palanca to UP.
The two had built more than just basketball chemistry, carrying NU to multiple podium finishes in juniors’ play.
Their bond ran deeper than victories and losses.
“Miguel is a brother to me, even his mom is like family to me. He told me, ‘Collins, good luck on the game.’ Yesterday, I just told him good luck as well and told him to go to sleep since it was already 11:00 PM. When I saw him on the court, I was like, Miguel, do you — it’s all business,” the 6-foot-10 center shared.
While friendship took a backseat on opening weekend, the bond between them never wavered.
Their shared roots under coach Kevin de Castro remain the foundation of a brotherhood that distance — or school colors — can’t undo.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Akowe has begun forging new bonds in España.
Instead of battling Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding — the core that denied him a title last season — he now shares the floor with them.
In particular, Buenaflor has become his closest ally, their partnership forming the backbone of UST’s promising defensive frontline.
“We’re trying to build the chemistry we need. Since our Korea training camp, we talk a lot and joke about the past finals in the juniors’ division. We bond over those memories, and that’s why when we step into the court, I always tell him to just do his thing,” Akowe said.
#WATCH: Collins Akowe opens up on his ‘unexpected’ journey to UST and cherishing bonds with rival-turned-teammate Koji Buenaflor and best friend-turned-opponent Migs Palanca 🐯🏀
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/ljk4HxbXZK
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 21, 2025
