QUEZON CITY – In a nail-biting Final Four showdown that had the Araneta Coliseum on the edge of its seats, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons executed a textbook defensive blueprint to stifle University of Santo Tomas’ towering rookie Collins Akowe, scraping past the Growling Tigers 82-81 on Sunday to punch their ticket to a historic fifth consecutive UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals berth. The victory, a testament to Coach Goldwin Monteverde’s meticulous prep work, keeps UP’s dream of back-to-back titles alive, setting up a blockbuster championship clash with either De La Salle or National University.
The game was a chess match wrapped in a street fight, with UP’s game plan zeroing in on Akowe – the 6’10” phenom whose interior dominance had terrorized foes all season. Drilled relentlessly in practice, the Maroons swarmed the big man with double-teams, fronting help, and relentless physicality, forcing him into an uncharacteristically inefficient night: 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting to go with 11 rebounds. “We knew the challenge with him since our first game against UST,” Monteverde revealed post-game, his voice laced with satisfaction. “We knew Collins and the type of player he is, so we really prepared for him during practice. We learned how to react as a team against him.”
UP’s enforcer, Francis Nnoruka, was the tip of the spear, delivering a monster stat line of 19 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and two steals while drawing the tough assignment on Akowe. The Nigerian-born forward, who grew up idolizing NBA bigs like Giannis Antetokounmpo, stayed locked in without apology. “I really just focus on what I’m supposed to be doing and how to get better,” Nnoruka told reporters, his humility belying the havoc he wreaked. His defensive clinic not only neutralized UST’s inside threat but sparked transition buckets that kept UP’s offense humming, with JD Cagulangan adding 15 points and Terrence Gomes chipping in 12.
The Tigers, clinging to a slim lead deep into the fourth, mounted a gritty push led by Nic Cabanero’s 22 points and Akowe’s double-double, but a late 8-0 run capped by Nnoruka’s putback dunk sealed the Maroons’ fate. UST coach Aldin Ayo tipped his cap to the victors: “Give credit to UP; they executed their plan perfectly. We knew it was going to be a battle, but they were one step ahead.”
For Nnoruka, the win was sweet but the spotlight short-lived – his gaze is already fixed on the Finals horizon. “Obviously, I lost to La Salle twice, so I want to go back to the drawing board and do more work,” he admitted with a grin. “But to be honest, may the best man win. We just have to work on our craft, perfect it, and wait for whoever comes in our way.” UP, now 13-2 on the season, awaits the winner of the La Salle-NU semifinal, with the Finals tipped for December 7 – a stage where Monteverde’s squad aims to etch their name in the record books.
This triumph isn’t just about stopping Akowe; it’s a blueprint for UP’s dynasty bid, proving that in the UAAP’s unforgiving arena, a well-drilled defense can dethrone giants and pave paths to immortality. As the Maroons march on, the Big Dome faithful can only wonder: Will this be the year the Fighting Maroons finally hoist the crown?