Collins Akowe immediately showed he is ready for the collegiate level in his first game of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The 6-foot-10 Nigerian center made a debut to remember, leading University of Santo Tomas to a perfect start in their Season 88 hosting by crushing defending champion University of the Philippines, 87-67, on Sunday at their home court, the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Akowe, a product of National University Nazareth School who was a former High School Boys’ MVP, finished with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 11-of-21 from the free-throw line, while also grabbing 17 rebounds — one of the best debuts in UAAP history.
“Dahil maganda ‘yung opening ceremony na idinaos ng UST so gusto rin namin ng magandang performance para sa fans at sa mga naniniwala sa amin. Gusto lang namin magperform nang maayos para sa community,” said UST deputy Japs Cuan, as head coach Pido Jarencio lost his voice and could not attend the postgame interview.
(“Since UST put on a great opening ceremony, we also wanted to give a good performance for the fans and everyone who believes in us. We just wanted to play well for the community,”)
The Growling Tigers’ blowout was historic, snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Fighting Maroons, who have claimed two of the last four titles.
UST’s last win over UP before today came on November 13, 2019, a 68-65 victory where Renzo Subido’s three-pointer sent the Tigers to the Season 82 Finals.
This time, UST left no room for a UP comeback. After the third quarter, UST led 70-57, then limited the Fighting Maroons to just three points in the first eight minutes of the final period while scoring 15 themselves, building an insurmountable 85-60 lead.
The Growling Tigers set the tone early, racing out of the gates with a 31-19 first quarter in their home gym.
“It’s a great feeling, just taking advantage of our crowd. I just do what I got to do. I’m representing UST, I have to take it upon myself, they’re taking care of me so this is the way I can pay them back,” said Akowe, who was the UAAP’s first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete in Season 87 with NUNS.
Kyle Paranada, starting in place of suspended guard Forthsky Padrigao, also delivered a big performance with 18 points, 14 of which came in the first half, helping UST lead 57-43 at the break.
Nic Cabañero contributed nine points, while Gelo Crisostomo added eight points, seven rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block.
UST will aim to slay another big fish on Saturday when it faces De La Salle University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons had a rough start to their title defense. Mark Belmonte led UP with 12 points, while Harold Alarcon added 11, though he needed 16 shots to do so.
UP will look to bounce back against Adamson University on Wednesday, again at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Scores:
UST 87 – Akowe 29, Paranada 18, Cabañero 9, Crisostomo 8, Buenaflor 7, Calum 4, Llemit 3, Estacio 3, Acido 2, Laure 2, Sevilla 2, Bangco 0, Manding 0, Bucsit 0, Danting 0.
UP 67 – Belmonte 12, Alarcon 11, Bayla 11, Bayla 6, Torres 6, Nnoruka 5, Fortea 4, Felicilda 4, Abadiano 2, Alter 2, Palanca 2, Briones 2, Stevens 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 57-43, 70-57, 87-67.
