Jake Figueroa showed why he is the top dog of National University.
Figueroa scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to tow the Bulldogs past the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 76-69, in their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament matchup Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The small forward shot 6-of-12 from the floor, including the dagger triple, while hauling down nine rebounds and dishing out two assists.
NU thus remained spotless through three games, joining the Ateneo Blue Eagles on top of the standings.
After Gelo Crisostomo’s short stab gave UST a 65-62 lead with 7:22 remaining, NU’s Gelo Santiago and Figueroa teamed up and scored four straight points to push the Bulldogs 66-65.
Mark Llemit then put UST up front anew, 67-66, before the two squads went on a dry spell.
Santiago and Figueroa broke the drought with back-to-back shots to give NU a 70-67 lead.
Nic Cabanero hit a jumper to inch the Tigers, playing in their own stomping grounds, closer.
But on the other end, Figueroa sized up Collins Akowe and hit the dagger 3-pointer to push NU ahead for good, 73-69.
In the next possession, UST point guard Forthsky Padrigao hoisted up an off-balanced triple that missed everything.
Free throws by Paul Francisco and Steve Nash Enriquez iced the game.
Omar John and PJ Palacielo chipped in 10 markers for the Bulldogs.
Cabanero paced UST with 19 points, six rebounds and an assist, but shot 8-of-19 from the floor. Amiel Acido backstopped with 18 points while Mark Llemit had 12.
Collins Akowe, a product of the NU Bullpups program where he won the UAAP Most Valuable Player and Best Foreign Student-Athlete awards, was held to just five points and eight rebounds after dominating in his first two collegiate games.
Before the contest, Akowe averaged 24.5 points and 18 rebounds per game.
UST now dropped to 2-1 this season. It will try to bounce back as it takes on still-winless University of the East Red, while NU will aim to keep its streak against defending champion University of the Philippines.
Both games will be held this Saturday, October 4, at the same venue.