National University clamped down on Collins Akowe to outlast University of Santo Tomas, 76-69, at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
The Bulldogs limited Akowe, their former high school standout at NU Nazareth School, to a season-low five points on 1-of-7 shooting and eight rebounds.
Coming into the game, Akowe had averaged 24.5 points and 18 rebounds in UST’s 2-0 start, highlighted by big wins over UP and La Salle. ‘The players really worked hard to get this. I’m happy for our guys because they followed the game plan. They were disciplined and the effort was there,’ said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
Jake Figueroa delivered the dagger shots in the closing minutes. With UST leading by one, Gelo Santiago put NU ahead with a layup before Figueroa drilled a jumper for a 70-67 cushion. Nic Cabañero answered for UST to cut the gap to one, but Figueroa struck again-this time with a three-pointer in the final 38 seconds-to seal the win after a Tigers turnover.
‘I just took advantage of the responsibility coach gave me. I had to own it, and it worked out,’ said Figueroa, who finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and nine of his points in the fourth quarter.
Omar John also starred in the paint for NU, outplaying Akowe with 10 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and two steals.
UST fell to 2-1 after its hot start. Cabañero led with 19 points on 8-of-19 shooting, Amiel Acido posted a career-high 18, while Mark Llemit and Forthsky Padrigao chipped in 12 and 10, respectively.
NU (3-0) is tied with Ateneo atop the standings. The Bulldogs face UP on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., while the Growling Tigers try to rebound earlier at 1:30 p.m. against winless UE.