National University effectively contained Collins Akowe to outlast University of Santo Tomas on their home floor, the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, 76-69, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs, well aware of the impact of the former NU Nazareth School foreign student-athlete, limited Akowe to a season-low five points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds.
Prior to this, Akowe had been averaging 24.5 points and 18.0 rebounds in the Growling Tigers’ 2-0 start. He starred in their dominant wins over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the De La Salle University Green Archers — the last two seasons’ finalists.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“The players really worked hard talaga na makuha ito… Happy for our guys na talagang they followed the game plan. They are disciplined to do it. The effort is there — yun naman ang laging sinasabi ko sa kanila,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa, as the Bulldogs now share the top spot with idle Ateneo de Manila University at 3-0.
Jake Figueroa, meanwhile, delivered the timely shots that tipped the game in NU’s favor.
With UST up by a point, Gelo Santiago converted a layup before Figueroa extended the Bulldogs’ lead to three with a step-back jumper, 70-67, with 1:52 remaining.
Nic Cabañero responded for the Growling Tigers to cut it to one, 69-70. But Figueroa struck again with a booming three-pointer off a UST turnover with 38.2 seconds left, effectively putting the game out of reach.
“Tinake advantage ko lang ‘yung binigay na responsibilidad ni coach na ‘yun nga, kumbaga kailangan kong akuin so ayun kahit papaano pumapasok naman,” said Figueroa, who finished with 22 points — including nine in the fourth quarter — and nine rebounds.
Gambian center Omar John also outshone Akowe for NU, contributing 10 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and two steals.
For UST, their perfect start came to an end as they dropped to 2-1, tied with La Salle in third place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Cabañero led the Growling Tigers with 19 points on 8-of-19 shooting, while Amiel Acido erupted for a career-high 18 points in the defeat.
Mark Llemit added 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block, and Forthsky Padrigao chipped in 10 points and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with NU facing UP at 4:30 PM. Meanwhile, UST looks to bounce back against winless University of the East at 1:30 PM, still at the QPav.
The Scores:
NU (76) – Figueroa 22, John 10, Palacielo 10, Garcia 9, Enriquez 7, Francisco 5, Santiago 4, Parks 3, Manansala 2, Jumamoy 2, Dela Cruz 2, Padrones 0, Solomon 0, Tulabut 0, Navarro 0.
UST (69) – Cabañero 19, Acido 18, Llemit 12, Padrigao 10, Akowe 5, Buenaflor 3, Crisostomo 2, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Paranada 0, Laure 0, Calum 0.
Quarterscores: 18-22, 40-43, 58-61, 76-69.
