A strong finish is in store for both the NU Bulldogs and the UST Growling Tigresses as the men’s and women’s division in UAAP Season 88 basketball reaches the final stretch of elimination.
The NU Bulldogs and UST Growling Tigresses have sustained their strong starts in the UAAP men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, respectively, thanks in part to the play and leadership of veteran players Jake Figueroa and Kent Pastrana.
As NU (11-2), and UST (12-0) lead the pack, Figueroa and Pastrana continued on as key cogs in their teams’ quest for UAAP glory with the Final Four looming.
As such, they are the Collegiate Press Corps’ Players of the Week for the period of November 5 to November 16.
Figueroa was steady in the Bulldogs’ 3-0 record this week, which featured close fights against the Adamson Soaring Falcons and the FEU Tamaraws.
He tallied 13 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals against Adamson before following it up with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in their battle with the Tams.
[RELATED: UAAP: NU delights with gutsy win over FEU to clinch playoff for twice-to-beat]
“’Yung tiwala ni Coach sa’kin, parang sariling anak kumbaga. Ang dami niyang minutong binibigay sa’kin. Sobrang laki ng tiwala niya kaya ’yung tira ko na ’yon, para sa kanya yon,” he said after the win over FEU where he hit clutch baskets to seal their spot in the Final Four.
He capped his week with 14 points, seven boards, three dimes, and two steals against UE — a win that helped them clinch their first twice-to-beat advantage since UAAP Season 76.
He was the top choice for the award feted by scribes from the online and print publications covering the league, beating out UP’s Francis Nnoruka, UST’s Collins Akowe and Nic Cabañero, and FEU’s pair of Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa.
Meanwhile, in the women’s side, Pastrana continues to be one of the pillars of the Growling Tigresses with her leadership and all-around brilliance.
She capped a stunning week that saw UST stay undefeated at 12-0, highlighting her individual performance with a career-high 35 points in a big win over the UE Lady Warriors.
“I am so happy sa performance ko today. Sinasabi ko palagi sa sarili ko na ibibigay ko lahat ng makakaya ko sa team para manalo every game. And of course, as a leader, I will do my best palagi para makatulong sa teammates ko and sa coaches ko,” she said following the win over UE.
She first opened the week with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block against UP before her 35-point explosion vs UE which was also accompanied by 12 rebounds, two assists, five steals, and a block.
Pastrana finished her week with 11 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and three steals in a big win over fellow contender Ateneo.
[RELATED: UAAP: Karylle Sierba, UST stay unbeaten at 12–0, fend off Ateneo]
Pastrana edged out teammate Rachelle Ambos, and NU’s Karl Ann Pingol, and Angel Surada for the weekly honor.
NU returns to action on Sunday, November 23, as the Bulldogs aim for a first place finish in the standings with a men’s basketball clash against the UST Growling Tigers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, UST braces for defending champions NU in the women’s division as the Tigresses hope to move on the cusp of an elimination round sweep and an outright finals berth in a Finals rematch also on Sunday at the MOA Arena.
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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.