Head coach Jeff Napa and the NU Bulldogs stifled UST’s prized rookie Collins Okowe, holding him to his lowest-scoring game of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
It wasn’t just about executing a game plan to slow down UST rookie Collins Okowe.
For NU head coach Jeff Napa, it was about preparing his team to rise to the occasion, knowing that effort and grit would be the true game-changers.
And when the final buzzer sounded, Napa and his wards earned their reward.
NU proved to be the steadier team down the stretch, edging the UST Growling Tigers via 76-69 decision to gain a share of lead in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
[ALSO READ: Surging NU outlasts UST for a blistering 3-0 start in UAAP Season 88]
In the process, the Bulldogs contained UST’s prized rookie Collins Okowe — who entered the game averaging a near 20-20 double-double — to just five points and eight rebounds while forcing him to miss six of his seven shot attempts.
“For the players, binigay nila yung best. Sabi ko kapag binigay niya ‘yung effort nila, susuklian naman sila ng basketball gods kaya binigay sa kanila,” Napa said in the post-game press conference.
“Hindi 'yun para i-stop si Collins, it’s all about [stopping] UST talaga kasi we’ve known naman how strong of a team they are,” he added.
A "responsible" Bulldog indeed
Jake Figueroa was a major factor in the win, scoring 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half. In fact, he single-handedly outscored the entire UST squad, 9-8, in the pivotal final period.
“Tinake advantage ko lang ‘yung responsibility the binigay sakin ni coach… kailangan ko siyang akuin and kahit papaano naman pumapasok naman [‘yung mga tira ko],” Figueroa added.
NU, now at 3-0, now heads into its next showdown against the defending champion UP Fighting Maroons with beaming confidence.
Nic Cabanero, on the other hand, led UST with 19 points, but the Growling Tigers were outrebounded 39-52 and committed 17 turnovers, which led to 15 points for NU.
Amiel Acido added 18 points as the Growling Tigers (2-1) aim for a quick bounce back against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.