UAAP: UP's Francis Nnoruka shows out vs Ateneo with Francis Lopez, QMB in attendance

The University of the Philippines has been blessed with a number of good front court talents over the past years.

This season, it has been Francis Nnoruka’s time to carry the mantle left behind by the likes of Carl Tamayo, Malick Diouf, and most recently Francis Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown.

With Lopez and Millora-Brown in attendance for UP’s 79-75 win against neighbors Ateneo, Nnoruka posted numbers the Fighting Maroon alums would be proud of, scoring 17 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and swatting away four shots.

“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 they put when they were playing, and try to fill out the space that they left in the team,” Nnoruka said about Lopez and Millora-Brown being in attendance during UP's Wednesday game.

“[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,” added the first year center.

Aside from posting great numbers, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde also credits Nnoruka for the intangibles he brought in the second half, in a time where the Fighting Maroons were able to erase a 16-point deficit.

“Sa akin, in-expect ko na kayang-kaya gawin ni Francis 'yun. Malaking bagay is 'yung papaano niya na-gather sarili niya towards the second half, kasi nung first half, medyo, like we said, 'yung energy niya wala doon. But then, 'yung tinanggap niya 'yung challenge, and at the same time putting up 'yung intensity sa second half. For me, I’m proud of him sa second half,” Monteverde asserted.

Now secured of a twice-to-beat advantage come playoffs time, Nnoruka hopes to build off his performances in the elimination rounds in hopes of bringing home the UAAP crown to Diliman yet again.

“I'll tell you the same mindset coming into the season. Consistency, try to stay consistent and try to play with effort. Try to play my role and accept my role, you know, and do what I can do to help the team win. That's really what it is.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News