After missing out on the MVP race and falling short in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, graduating forward Jake Figueroa isn’t dwelling on what could have been.
Instead, the five-year NU stalwart is already setting his sights on the next big challenge: getting interest and, eventually, a contract with a KBL club.
Averaging 13.93 points, 7.21 rebounds, 3.93 assists, 2.14 steals, and 1.0 block per game in his senior season, Figueroa has proven his mettle on the UAAP hardwood.
But his ambition goes beyond collegiate accolades.
“Kahit ano, okay lang naman ako. Iba pa rin yung sa international ka maglaro kasi ‘yon naman lahat siguro yung goal nila, pinapangarap ng mga athlete ngayon,” Figueroa told reporters after posting 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in NU’s 73-78 Final Four loss to the DLSU Green Archers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
“Syempre, ako rin, dream ko rin makalaro sa international.”
Before plotting the next chapter of his basketball journey, the 23-year-old native of Bacolor, Pampanga takes pride in having committed to NU — arriving as a lanky UAAP Boys’ Basketball MVP out of Adamson High School and leaving as a seasoned athlete and leader.
Under the guidance of head coach Jeff Napa, the 6-foot-3 forward, who was the UAAP Season 82 Boys’ Basketball MVP, cherishes the lessons and growth of his five-year Bulldogs tenure, confident that his UAAP experience has prepared him for the professional arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“No regrets naman kasi binigay naman namin 100 percent namin ngayong game. Sobrang blessed ko rin na nag-NU ako — kumbaga, tinapos ko yung playing years ko sa NU. Sobrang ganda ng journey ang tinakbo namin ng mga seniors ko,” Figueroa said.
“Yung pagiging leader at yung maturity sa loob ng court — ‘yon naman ang palaging sinasabi sa amin ni coach, na maturity talaga ang importante.”
Figueroa also takes pride in having helped guide the program alongside his “brothers” Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala — fellow five-year Bulldogs — as well as Gelo Santiago, Mark Parks, and Munmun Dela Cruz, ensuring the torch is properly passed to NU’s next generation.
To help NU get over the hump and chase its first UAAP men’s basketball title since Season 77, Figueroa offered simple advice to key holdovers PJ Palacielo, Omar John, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Kenshin Padrones: cherish every year representing the school.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila kanina, na lagi sinasabi sa amin ni coach Jeff na kahit na llamado kami ngayon, kahit twice-to-beat kami, nawala pa rin yung hinahangad namin na Finals. Sabi ko sa kanila na every year is a different story. I-cherish nila every year kung may matitira lang silang playing year,” he shared.
“Yung dalawang center namin, si Omar at si PJ. Sila Kenshin at si Reinhard, kahit na senior na kami, tinutulungan pa rin kami para umangat sa bigger stage. Sobrang thankful din kami na may ganon kaming teammates na hindi ka iiwan, nandiyan pa rin sila para sa iyo.”
#WATCH: After five years with NU, Jake Figueroa is setting his sights on making his international dreams a reality 🐶 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/JyHAacWw26
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/rq1OJv1j3g
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 6, 2025
