GETTING the attention of an international club team is a big deal, especially for those who are still in college.
But for National U’s Jake Figueroa, staying in Jhocson and completing his five years there is much more meaningful.
"May team sa Korea na kumakausap sa'kin, pero gusto ko mag-stay sa Philippine basketball," he told SPIN.ph right after leading the Bulldogs to an unlikely finals berth in the 2025 Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
The 6-foot-2 swingman had long been impressive from his days as UAAP Juniors MVP with Adamson. But it was in Season 87 when he truly broke out, posting per game counts of 11.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals as NU's main man.
And so, it was quite understandable he opened eyes of overseas squads.
Figueroa, however, decided to stay loyal, remaining in blue and gold to show the way in their redemption campaign.
“Hindi sapat yung thank you para makabawi ako sa kanila,” he said, referring to the NU community. “Iba rin dapat ‘yung isusukli ko sa kanila.”
Jake it 'til you make it
With the 23 year old still in the saddle, National U came all the way from the fourth seed to claim a golden opportunity to challenge two-time defending champion University of the Philippines in the Filoil Preseason title match on July 27.
He has averaged 12.5 points, 3.3 boards, and 2.8 assists in their Cinderella run so far, and delievered when it mattered most with norms of 22.5 markers, 5.5 boards, 3.0 dimes, and 4.5 steals in their triumphs over NCAA No. 1 Letran and UAAP No. 2 University of Santo Tomas.
“Happy ako na meron akong player na kagaya niya. Nagpapasalamat kami kay Jake kasi nagtiwala talaga siya sa NU, sa akin," said head coach Jeff Napa.
READ: Napa lauds those who stayed loyal: 'Handa silang magpakamatay para sa NU'
The Bulldogs shot-caller's statement is even truer after the defections they had to power through early on in the offseason.
With Figueroa well-entrenched at the forefront, though, National U has got a good shot as any other - whether in the premiere preseason tourney or the UAAP itself.
And who knows, when the Pampanga native carries his team all the way to the mountaintop, perhaps even more international club teams will see him there.
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