University of the Philippines knew that stopping University of Santo Tomas in their UAAP Season 88 Final Four duel meant containing Collins Akowe.
That mission is certainly easier said than done, but the Fighting Maroons executed that plan to a tee to march to their fifth straight UAAP Finals appearance.
‘We knew the challenge with him since our first game against UST,’ coach Goldwin Monteverde said after their 82-81 nail-biter against the Growling Tigers at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
‘We knew Collins and the type of player he is so we really prepared for him during practice. We learned how to react as a team against him.’
UP’s bid for back-to-back titles stayed alive after the Maroons gave the UST rookie hell.
Akowe finished with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, numbers that-on paper-looked like a great performance.
But Akowe was saddled with offensive woes, making just four of his 12 shots from the field. His main defender, Francis Nnoruka, played his role to perfection as he choked out the UST big man on defense.
‘I really just focus on what I’m supposed to be doing and how to get better,’ Nnoruka told the Inquirer after finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the win.
With the Final Four done and dusted, Nnoruka turned his attention to the future; a UAAP Finals date with either La Salle or National U.
‘Obviously, I lost to La Salle twice so I want to go back to the drawing board and do more work but to be honest, may the best man win,’ he said. ‘We just have to work on our craft, perfect it and wait for whoever comes in our way.’