Francis Nnoruka, UP’s current big man, performed well against Ateneo in front of both Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez in UAAP Season 88.
The “Battle of Katipunan” between the UP Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles always draws big crowds, especially since the two schools established their title rivalry at the turn of the decade, having met thrice in the finals from UAAP Season 81 to UAAP Season 85.
But two fans in particular were in the back of the mind of UP big man Francis Nnoruka when the Fighting Maroons edged the Blue Eagles, 79-75, to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.
Filling in the role of UP’s starting big man, Nnoruka had his eye on UP alums Francis Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown who were watching the game from the sidelines at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday night.
[RELATED: UAAP: UP rides late game surge to foil Ateneo, seals twice-to-beat edge]
Knowing their key roles to UP’s title run in UAAP Season 87, Nnoruka drew inspiration from the two UAAP champions as he finished with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds.
“That’s a big thing, you know. I was excited that they were out there watching, we just had to like put the same effort that they put when they were playing, and trying to fill out the space that they left out in the team,” said Nnoruka, who fills in much of the front court rotation along with Gani Stevens and Sean Alter.
“I’m really happy that they watched the game and I’m really happy that we got the dub at the end of the game. That’s a great thing for me and the team,” he added.
Nnoruka’s contributions were evident late in the ball game against Ateneo, where he inhaled rebounds left and right, while also staying steady on second chance points and free throw shooting.
He had a quick 5-0 spurt in the fourth quarter to break a tie to give UP the 65-60 lead with 4:34 remaining.
UP rises to the challenge
Even as Nnoruka’s numbers popped in recent games, head coach Goldwin Monteverde was hardly surprised.
Having seen his growth in UP since he first came to Diliman, Monteverde was more happy to see him recover and adjust well after slow starts.
In the first half, he only had four points and three rebounds.
“Ine-expect ko na kayang kaya gawin ni Francis 'yun. It’s just that, malaking bagay is yung papano na-gather niya 'yung sarili niya nung second half. Kasi nung first half medyo, like we said, 'yung energy niya, wala don,” admitted Monteverde.
“But then, having accepted yung challenge and at the same time, putting up yung intensity sa second half, for me, I’m proud of him. Lalo na sa second half,” he continued.
As UP targets its first successful title defense in its program history, the Fighting Maroons will need more of those types of performances as they enter their last game of elimination and the Final Four.
Already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage, UP targets a sweep of the second round when they face the DLSU Green Archers in their last match of the elimination round on Saturday, November 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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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.