Jake Figueroa delivered the biggest baskets for National University as they repeated their conquest of Ateneo de Manila University in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday.
He made a triple with 1:08 left while also draining the game-icing free throws with 3.4 seconds to go.
All of this happened even though his mind wasn’t fully in the game, as his Lolo did not watch a game of the Bulldogs for the first time in a long while.
During Figueroa’s MVP season in UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Basketball, Lolo Monico drove all the way from Pampanga for each game to watch his beloved grandson play for Adamson High School.
“Unang una para kay Lolo ko talaga ‘yung mga crucial tira ko kasi ngayon lang siya wala eh,” said Figueroa, who was born in Bacolor but raised in Minalin.
“Yun nga, medyo wala ako sa sarili. Pero kinaya ko para magawa lang kung anong pinaghandaan namin lahat, kasi one week na bakasyon, mahaba-habang paghahanda. Kaya kung anong ginawa lang namin sa ensayo, nagawa namin nang tama,” he added.
Figueroa, a third-year forward, delivered 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, along with seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
He complemented well with Season 85 High School Boys’ MVP Reinhard Jumamoy, who erupted for a career-high game of 21 points, making his first eight shots.
Figueroa took matters into his own hands when the Blue Eagles turned a 53-60 deficit into a 61-60 advantage.
And that all led to his clutch finish.
“Alam naman namin na babawi ang Ateneo sa amin, kaya ginawa lang namin kung paano kami maglaro as a team at hindi kami lumabas sa circle na gusto ni coach. Kaya namin nakuha yung panalo,” shared the 6-foot-2 all-around forward.
Head coach Jeff Napa was delighted with Figueroa and Co.’s response after losing to De La Salle University last week, 88-78.
The third-year NU tactician called out his players for their lack of effort against the surging Green Archers led by MVP frontrunner Kevin Quiambao.
“Last time nung nandito ako, sinabi ko sa inyo yung lack of effort. Kaya talagang pina-emphasize namin ‘yung word na ‘effort’ sa aming conversation ng team para mapunan namin ‘yung pagkukulang namin last game,” said Napa.
“Good thing, napunta sa amin ‘yung favor nung last few minutes. Jake made crucial big shots, kaya kami napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon.”
