Bulldogs limit Tigers’ Akowe, clinch share of lead
National University arrived at University of Santo Tomas’ own home floor with something that two previous Tigers opponents didn’t have: familiarity with one Collins Akowe.
For two games, the 6-foot-8 Nigerian—a product of the NU high school program—had bulldozed his way to an average of 24.5 points and 18 rebounds, powering the Growling Tigers to upset wins over defending champion University of the Philippines and last season’s finalist La Salle. But on Wednesday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, the Bulldogs smothered him into irrelevance.
Akowe finished with just five points on 1-of-7 shooting—his lowest output of the season—and eight rebounds. Without their anchor, UST struggled to sustain its hot start to UAAP Season 88.
It was the Bulldogs that did just that, roaring to a share of the lead with a 76-69 victory, the team’s third straight win.
“The players really worked hard to get this,” NU coach Jeff Napa said. “I’m happy because they really followed the game plan. They are disciplined to do it, the effort is there—that’s what I always remind them.”
And while the defense was suffocating, it was Jake Figueroa who delivered the clutch blows.
Cold-blooded triple
With UST ahead by one late in the fourth, Gelo Santiago put NU back in front with a layup. Then Figueroa rose for a step-back jumper to make it 70-67 with under two minutes left.
Nic Cabañero kept UST alive with a basket, trimming it to 70-69. But Figueroa wasn’t finished. Off a Tigers turnover, he buried a cold-blooded triple with 38.2 seconds left, the dagger that sealed the triumph.
“I just took advantage of the responsibility coach gave me,” Figueroa said. “It was something I had to own, so I did my part and it worked out.”
Figueroa finished with 22 points, including nine in the fourth, while also grabbing nine rebounds. Omar John provided muscle inside, posting 10 points, 12 boards, three blocks, three assists and two steals in his battle with Akowe.
The win tied NU with idle Ateneo at the top of the standings at 3-0 (win-loss).
For UST, the defeat marked the end of its perfect start. Cabañero paced the Tigers with 19 points on 8-of-19 shooting, while Amiel Acido broke out with a career-high 18. Mark Llemit added 12 points, five rebounds and two steals, and Forthsky Padrigao chipped in 10 points and six assists.
But without Akowe’s usual dominance, the Tigers lacked the finishing punch against a well-drilled NU squad.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, still at UST’s QPav. The Bulldogs face UP in a battle of contenders at 4:30 p.m., while UST looks to bounce back at 1:30 p.m. against winless UE.
La Salle survived a furious fourth-quarter rally to edge Far Eastern University, 74-72, in the earlier men’s match.
