Both at 2-0, UST’s Collins Akowe and Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa were recognized by the Collegiate Press Corps in the opening week of UAAP Season 88.
A rookie sensation and a well-established dominant figure get the nod as UAAP Players of the Week by the Collegiate Press Corps to start Season 88.
Dominating the start of the season, UST’s Collins Akowe and Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa nabbed the recognition for the men’s and women’s division, respectively, for the period covering September 20 to September 28.
Following perfect starts for their teams, the first year player and the reigning two-time UAAP MVP were both recognized for their individual contributions to their teams’ 2-0 campaigns to open UAAP Season 88.
Akowe, who has led UST to big wins over the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers, was a revelation for head coach Pido Jarencio as he averaged 24.5 points and 18 rebounds across his first two games in the seniors division.
The NU-Nazareth School product first dazzled against the defending champion Fighting Maroons with a 29-point performance.
He then followed it up against tougher opposition inside the paint with a 20-point, 19-rebound stat line against Mike Phillips and the Green Archers.
Quickly establishing himself as a stalwart for the Growling Tigers, Akowe admitted that he didn’t expect to find himself in España.
“I think I’ve mentioned it before, I never saw myself playing for UST. I never envisioned it,” he said.
Regardless, he quickly subscribed to Jarencio’s system and is eager to work with it to bring himself and the Growling Tigers to victory.
“I'll just stick to the system. Whatever the defense brings, I'm still going to stick to the system. I'll never go out of the system,” he continued.
Meanwhile, over in the women’s division, Dela Rosa continued to lord over the competition and bring Ateneo to a 2-0 start — including a win over last year’s bronze medalists Adamson Lady Falcons to avenge their stepladder semifinals loss last season.
The reigning two-time MVP averaged 26.5 points, and 14 rebounds across the two victories to start the season.
She was one rebound short of a 20-20 stat line with 24 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks against Adamson, where she played almost the whole fourth quarter even with four fouls to her name.
After the match, Dela Rosa spoke about the discipline it took to keep herself in the game.
“Inisip ko nalang na kailangan ko tulungan yung team ko. Wag na ko maghampas nang hampas. Ayun, dinisiplina ko talaga yung sarili ko kasi alam ko kailangan nila ako,” she said.
Akowe and the Growling Tigers face the NU Bulldogs next on Wednesday, October 1, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while Dela Rosa and company face off against the DLSU Lady Archers in a rivalry game on Sunday, October 5, at the same venue.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.