NU limits Akowe, hands UST first loss in Season 88

National University limited rookie Collins Akowe to just five points en route to a 76-69 victory over the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Prior to this match, Akowe was averaging 24.5 points per game. 

Nic Cabañero pulled the Growling Tigers within one, 70-69, with 1:41 left in the fourth quarter before Jake Figueroa drained a three-pointer to give NU a four-point cushion. Free throws from Paul Francisco and Steve Nash Enriquez eventually sealed the win for the Bulldogs.

Figueroa led NU with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Omar John added a double-double of 12 points and 12 boards, helping the Bulldogs improve to 3-0.

Cabañero finished with 19 points, and Amiel Acido chipped in 18, as UST absorbed its first loss of the season, dropping to 2-1.

Scores:

NU 76 – Figueroa 22, John 10, Palacielo 10, Garcia 9, Enriquez 7, Francisco 5, Santiago 4, Parks 3, Manansala 2, Jumamoy 2, Dela Cruz 2, Padrones 0, Solomon 0, Tulabut 0, Navarro 0.

UST 69 – Cabañero 19, Acido 18, Llemit 12, Padrigao 10, Akowe 5, Buenaflor 3, Crisostomo 2, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Paranada 0, Laure 0, Calum 0.

Quarters: 18-22, 40-43, 58-61, 76-69.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News