Francis Nnoruka showcased his best performances of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament against Ateneo de Manila University — and against a familiar face, Divine Adili.
The UP big man and Adili share a history that dates back to their younger years in Nigeria.
Back home, they were teammates on a local club team, and their friendship has continued in the Philippines, even if they now play for different schools.
The 23-year-old Fighting Maroon posted 17 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals on Wednesday in UP’s 79-75, come-from-behind win over the Blue Eagles at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In their first-round matchup, Nnoruka exploded for 28 points, nine rebounds, and four assists as UP claimed an 83-69 victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I’m really, really proud. You know, it’s basically been the dream, playing international, playing the game that we love,” Nnoruka said of their growth. “I’m really proud to play with Divine and against Divine.
“It’s really just a competition out there because even when we were on the same team, it was really actually still a competition, trying to push ourselves to do better and play the game that we love with intensity and effort. So that’s really what it is.”
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Adili has struggled in his first year with Ateneo, mainly due to a nagging back injury that has hampered him since his debut.
He tallied seven points and eight rebounds in the loss to UP.
“I felt bad when he told me about the injury just before the season. I was really expecting him to come back because, where we are from, we never back down,” Nnoruka said. “We try to fight through whatever challenges we get, present yourself and, you know, find a way around it.
“So I was really supporting him and trying to tell him, encourage him to keep fighting and try to come back stronger.”
Nnoruka still has one more year at UP, while Adili has the full five years of eligibility at Ateneo.
For the Fighting Maroons center, as long as they play with intensity, hunger, and heart, anything is possible.
“We just keep doing what we are doing right now. Keep fighting and keep pushing and definitely the sky is going to be our limit.”
