Collins Akowe has been a dominant force in the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Basketball Tournament.
Last Sunday, the 18-year-old Nigerian set a tournament record of 29 rebounds in National University Nazareth School’s 84-76 win over UPIS.
The 6-foot-10 big man followed it up with a 32-point, 22-rebound game in the Bullpups’ 99-53 demolition of the DLSZ Junior Archers three days later.
For Akowe, it’s all about consistency.
“I would say it’s about consistency. The coaches always tell us that we have to stay consistent,” said Akowe.
“It’s just about consistency.”
What’s impressive about Akowe’s line against Zobel was that he already tallied 28 points and 13 rebounds in the first half.
And it was the rest of the Bullpups who put the finishing touches on the contest.
“Hindi lang si Collins inaasahan namin sa defense, sa offense din. Hindi rin niya magagawa ito kung hindi dahil sa teammates,” said second year Bullpups head coach Kevin De Castro.
According to UP assistant coach Ryan Alba, the league has never seen a force like Akowe since Ateneo High School great Kai Sotto.
Though Sotto is more polished on offense, Akowe is miles ahead from the defensive end.
But what De Castro wants Akowe to be is to be able to extend the floor like former Bulldog Alfred Aroga.
Aroga, who powered NU to the top back in UAAP Season 77, was a complete player.
He had good timing on defense and had a good post-up game. But the kicker in his game was his reliable midrange jumper.
And it’s something De Castro wants Collins to develop.
“Teammate ko dati si Alfred Aroga,” said De Castro, a former Bulldog.
“Si Alfred kasi may outside shots kaya sabi ko sa kanya, ‘You need to have an outside touch to be like Alfred Aroga.’”
For Akowe though, he won’t force it for as long as it is “within the system.”
