The National University Bulldogs dealt the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers their first loss of the season, 76-69, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The key to the Bulldogs’ win against the Growling Tigers was limiting Collins Akowe to just five points in 1-of-7 field goal efficiency. Prior to their matchup against the Bulldogs, Collins was averaging 24.5 points and 18.0 rebounds per game.

“The players really worked hard talaga na makuha ito… Happy for our guys na talagang they followed the game plan. They are disciplined to do it. The effort is there, ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung sinasabi ko sa kanila,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.

Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Omar John posted a double-double performance of 10 points and 12 rebounds. PJ Palacielo contributed 10 points.

For the Growling Tigers, Nic Cabañero led the team with 19 points and six rebounds, while Amiel Acido posted 18 points. Mark Llemit and Fourth Padrigao combined for 22 points.

Earlier that day, the De La Salle University Green Arches barely escaped the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 74-72.

In the waning hours to the fourth set, Tamaraw Jorick Bautista had the chance to extend the game to overtime, but hissed on his wide-open baseline layup.

“Of course, coming off a loss, you really want to win. There was a stretch in the game where we were playing really well, but in the UAAP, you can never say it’s going to be an easy win,” said Green Archers assistant coach Caloy Garcia.

“FEU came back in the fourth, and we just have to figure out our struggles in that quarter.”

Doy Dungo led the Green Archers with 17 points, while Mason Amos, Jacob Cortez, and EJ Gollena all scored 14 points apiece.

For the Tamaraws, Janrey Pasaol scored 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Mo Konateh posted a double-double performance of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Kirby Mongcopa and Jorick Bautista combined for 23 points.

Here are other things you might have missed in the October 1 games of UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

22, 9

Jake Figueroa finished the game with an almost double-double performance of 22 points and nine rebounds, leading the team in scoring. After Figueroa, the next highest scoring Bulldogs in the game were Omar John and PJ Palacielo with 10 points apiece.

“Tinake advantage ko lang ‘yung binigay na responsibilidad ni coach na ‘yun nga, kumbaga kailangan kong akuin so ayun kahit papaano pumapasok naman,” he said after the game.

14.3%

After averaging 24.5 points in their first two game with 57% field goal efficiency, Collins Akowe was limited to just five points in a dismal 14.4% efficiency. In contract, the Bulldogs’ foreign student-player Omar John posted a double-double performance of 10 points and 12 rebounds, with three blocks, three assists, and two steals.

After the game, Akowe didn’t give any excuses and accepted the defeat gracefully. He said of John, as quoted by Tiebreaker Times, “He had his way. I would give him that. I think I didn’t think too much against him, and he did his thing. That’s okay. It’s normal in this game.”

“No. I would say that let them have their moment. I don’t want to give excuses, but let them have their moment. Coming into the next game, hopefully we do better.”

3-0

With their win against the Growling Tigers, the Bulldogs are off to a perfect 3-0 start, their best in the Final Four era of the UAAP. At the center of those wins are Omar John, who was not included in the Bulldogs’ lineup in Season 87.

“As I said, I just stick to the game plan and what Coach Jeff [Napa] told me to do. Right now, it’s not about forcing my stats. I have my mission. If he said to me you have to stop this guy, I will do my best to do it,” he said after the game.

“I just wanna thank Coach Jeff because he still trusts me. Although two seasons ago, I played with some tantrums, but it’s not my attitude. I just want to win. Now, I understand that if I want to win, I have to put aside my tantrums, my ego, and just stick on the game plan and support my teammates.”

Likewise, head coach Jeff Napa sang praises for John as he slowly matured in the game. He said after the game, “Thankful kami talaga na ‘yung pagbabago niya for the better as a player, as a person. Nagbe-benefit talaga ‘yung team.”

“Maybe he’s matured enough to understand everything. Now he’s settled down and his teammates really support him well siguro, ‘yun ‘yung magandang nangyayari give and take sila. They trust each other na kahit anong mangyari, no one will be left behind.”

17

In the absence of Kean Baclaan, who did not play the game due to a sprained ankle, Doy Dungo led the team in scoring with 17 points. A former UST Tiger Cub, Dungo felt at home inside the Quadricentennial Pavilion, where he used to practice.

“Nag-step up lang ako kasi kailangan mag-step up ng team kasi kulang kami sa mga players. Naging composed lang ako and naging ready lang,” he said after the game.