WITH the University of Santo Tomas having hefty expectations this UAAP Season 89, an undoubtable pillar of the machine that could put those contender dreams to fruition is second-year big man Collins Akowe.
As the reigning best foreign student athlete and a member of last season's Mythical Five team, Akowe entered Season 89 with averages of 16.4 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.
And while he's still getting his numbers at 15 points, 13 boards, and 2.33 blocks a game, the Nigerian feels like he could be doing more in his sophomore year.
READ: Adamson still has UST's number even in UAAP Season 89
“I've been struggling lately,” Akowe told SPIN.ph. “Man, I'm just accepting my role, just doing what I gotta do to help the team win. If it comes to rebounds, boxing out, and all of that, I just have to do what I gotta do to help.”
The Nigerian center’s shooting splits also declined in his second go-around, down to just 46.15 percent from last year’s 54.4 percent for the season.
His diagnosis? The league has gotten more physical.
“The physicality, this season is crazier. And the referees are not, I don't know, I wouldn't say they're on my side, but I'm also just missing easy baskets, so it's not actually the referee," he said.
“But it's much more physical than last year."
Officiating woes aside, it was clear for the 19-year-old Akowe that he no longer has the element of surprise against opponents, the same way he had last year.
And now that the rest of the league had a full season’s worth of his dominance to study and to strategize on, its time for him to do the same.
“For me, I'm just missing my touches around the rim, if you notice, like, I'm getting free basket, but I'm missing it, but the contacts are crazy," he said.
Heading into the collegiate scene after easily being the most dominant player back in his days as an NUNS Bullpup, the story for Akowe was always how the UAAP will brace his presence on the court.
And now that it has—the real challenge of overcoming his slump and taking the leap starts for the 6-foot-10 big man.
“Yeah, if the scoring comes, it comes. But, yeah, I need to score also. And once I get my rhythm going, it's a win-win," he said.
“I’m still just gonna do me. Yeah, it's gonna be a struggle. But at the end of the day, I'm still gonna do me.”
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