Ateneo de Manila University’s Jude Eriobu continued to make waves in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
Even as the Blue Eagles remain unbeaten at 4-0, the Nigerian standout was quick to give credit where it’s due.
In his first UAAP matchup against Malian student-athlete Moussa Diakite of National University Nazareth School, Eriobu praised the Elite Team member after Ateneo’s 86-63 win over the Bullpups last Wednesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
“His game was great and his competitiveness was there,” said Eriobu, 17, who recorded 21 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and one steal, compared to Diakite’s 10 points, 18 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
For the 6-foot-10 center from Nigeria, what stood out most was the skill and determination of a 16-year-old like Diakite, despite the contrasting paths of Ateneo and NUNS in Season 88.
The Blue Eagles remain the lone unbeaten team at 4-0, while the Bullpups are in a four-way tie for third place with De La Salle Zobel, University of the East, and Adamson University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It helps that I am used to this kind of pressure and competition back home, because we are all competitive as well, and he was truly competitive today,” Eriobu added.
Diakite, however, was not the only player to earn Eriobu’s respect. He also commended the other FSAs he faced from the preseason through Season 88 — matchups that, he says, helped him quickly adapt to the style of Philippine basketball.
In his first four UAAP games, Eriobu has already gone up against UE’s JM Edoukou, Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Assan Gaye, Diakite, and DLSZ’s Yusuf Mikailu.
With one final FSA test looming in University of Santo Tomas’ Ola Ajani, when Ateneo faces the defending champions this Sunday, January 25, at the Blue Eagle Gym, Eriobu stressed that he will be ready — while keeping an open mind to absorb lessons from the matchup to further refine his game.
“The competition here is really great, especially the La Salle guy. I was not really expecting what happened in this tournament, so I am still lucky now. I’m ready for anything for the FSAs,” Eriobu shared.
“The competition that the FSAs bring further motivates me to improve my game. Four games in, but they make me realize that I have a lot to learn.”
