TITLE droughts aren't usually associated with NU-Nazareth School's boys basketball program, but in fact, it's been six years since the Bullpups last won it all.
NUNS is dead set on changing that in UAAP Season 87, especially after a gutsy 77-70 Game 1 triumph over very game University of Santo Tomas, Thursday in front of a very involved crowd at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Presumptive first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete (FSA) Collins Akowe broke out from his recent slump with another dominant double-double of 24 points and 22 rebounds, as Mac Alfanta and Chad Cartel also delivered big baskets for their 14 markers apiece.
READ: The real MVP? Akowe welcomes first-ever Best FSA award with open arms
"Sabi ko sa kanila, wala namang tatalo sa inyo if you play as a team. Ang tatalo lang sa inyo is yourselves. To be a champion, you have to beat yourselves," said a satisfied head coach Kevin de Castro.
After a slugfest of a first half that featured a total of 29 fouls called and 36 free throws taken, the Tiger Cubs went on a 14-5 run to erase an eight-point deficit midway through the third and erect a 62-61 edge late in the quarter.
Akowe and Cartel had the quick counter for the Bullpups, however, as they spearheaded a 9-2 spurt that pushed them ahead, 70-64, with 6:19 remaining. UST could only come as close as four points a couple of times the rest of the way.
Blue-and-gold standard
Season 82 in 2019 was the last time NUNS hoisted the trophy, the second of a back-to-back under Goldwin Monteverde. That followed a run of three crowns in five years with Jeff Napa at the helm.
Since the pandemic and their subsequent retooling with de Castro as shot-caller, however, the blue-and-gold has had to settle for a bronze medal then a runner-up finish.
Fast forward to this year and NUNS went on a rampage out of the gates and won 13 in a row before shockingly succumbing to a 20-point rout by the Tiger Cubs to end eliminations.
Akowe and Co. finally got to avenge that loss, while at the same time, moving one win away from an elusive - relative to the standards they've set in recent history - title.
"I was going through something my last two games, but I felt like (my team) needed me today. It feels good to be back," said the Nigerian big.
Racine Kane showed up for his duel with his fellow FSA for his own 25-point, 12-rebound double-double, as Koji Buenaflor chimed in 15 markers and seven boards for UST.
With gunners Kirk Canete and Joaqui Ludovice misfiring, however, they only mustered eight points in the final frame.
READ: Coach Manu Inigo on the doorstep of history with Tiger Cubs
The Bullpups try to wrap up the best-of-three series, just as Akowe is officially awarded Best FSA in Game 2 next Thursday still at the same venue.
The Scores:
NUNS 77 – Akowe 24, Alfanta 14, Cartel 14, Napa 9, Palanca 7, Locsin 6, Pillado 3, Matias 0, Nepacena 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Natinga 0, Figueroa 0.
UST 70 – Kane 25, Buenaflor 15, Manding 12, Esteban 6, Cañete 5, Acido 3, Bucsit 2, Cinco 2, Ludovice 0, Solon 0, Vidanes 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 38-36, 63-62, 77-70
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