Jake Figueroa has proven to be the cornerstone of the surging Bulldogs this Season 88 — exactly as head coach Jeff Napa envisioned when the former UAAP juniors MVP first joined NU four years ago.
Jake Figueroa is undoubtedly the standout player for the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, and it’s easy to see why.
Figueroa has led the Bulldogs to a surprising 3-0 start, securing wins over the UE Red Warriors, FEU Tamaraws, and most recently, the UST Growling Tigers.
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With averages of 17 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, the former UAAP juniors MVP has been instrumental in powering the Sampaloc-based squad to its first-ever 3-0 run in the Final Four era.
But for Figueroa, it’s not just about the stats but rather the role he’s stepped into—one that head coach Jeff Napa has entrusted him with.
“Sobrang laking tiwala [sa akin] ni coach Jeff [Napa]. Kahit papaano, binibigay niya ‘yung mga responsibilidad na kahit na tagilid [yung laro ko], kasi kailangan mong maging leader sa loob ng court,” he shared.
Against UST, Figueroa showed exactly why Napa has placed such confidence in him.
With the game on the line and just 37 seconds left in regulation, Figueroa drilled a dagger three-pointer to put the Bulldogs ahead, 73-69, capping off a near double-double outing of 22 points and nine rebounds while making all nine of his free-throw attempts.
It was a moment Napa had been waiting for since he first brought Figueroa to Sampaloc.
“Binuild ko naman siya na ganiyan… na yan naman ‘yung pangako ko sa kaniya nung pandemic since kinuha ko siya from Pampanga,” Napa recalled.
“Kung ano man ‘yung na-a-achieve niya ngayon, siya ‘yun kasi tinrabaho niya ‘yun. Kumbaga, gina-guide ko lang naman talaga siya. Masaya ako sa transformation ng laro ni Jake. Every year nag-i-improve.”
As the Bulldogs sit tied atop the standings with fellow unbeaten co-leaders Ateneo at 3-0, Figueroa’s leadership could be the key to finally ending NU’s 11-year title drought.
“Kada game, importante sa’min, and kahit sino naman gustong makapunta sa championship [game],” Figueroa said.
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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.