Host University of Santo Tomas kicked off UAAP Season 88 in grand fashion, and the Growling Tigers followed with an even more spectacular start.
UST made a statement with a giant-killing 2-0 run, taking down reigning champion University of the Philippines and Season 86 champion De La Salle University — teams that had dominated the finals in the past two seasons.
A key difference for the Tigers this season has been their new force in the middle: super rookie Collins Akowe.
For his outstanding performances that kept his school unbeaten from September 20 to 28, Akowe was unanimously named the first Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Akowe, the UAAP’s first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete in Season 87 with National University Nazareth School in high school, immediately proved his worth for UST.
In their stunning 87-67 victory over UP on September 21, he hauled in 29 points and 17 rebounds — one of the most impressive league debuts in history.
He followed it up with a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double while playing a pivotal role in UST’s 21-10 fourth-quarter rally to upset the Green Archers, 93-84.
“It’s a great feeling, just taking advantage of our crowd. I just do what I have to do. I’m representing UST, and I have to take it upon myself. They’re taking care of me, so this is my way of giving back,” Akowe said after their opening-game win at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Akowe outshone teammate Nic Cabañero, Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi, NU’s Jake Figueroa, and DLSU’s Jacob Cortez to earn the weekly recognition, as voted by the journalists covering the league.
