TRUTH be told, all signs pointed to UAAP Season 87 a year ago being Jake Figueroa's last for National U.
With legitimate interest from Korean Basketball League (KBL) clubs, the Kapampangan wing had the opportunity to make that leap and leave Jhocson after four years.
But the Bulldogs’ disappointing campaign last year left a bad taste on Figueroa’s mouth - so much so that consistent offers he got during the summer still couldn’t lure him out of the Bulldogs camp.
The only thing on his mind? To get NU back into contention.
“To be honest, yun ang isa sa dream ko: na makapaglaro sa international. Kung meron mang offer, walang dalawang-isip,” he said. “Pero kailangan ko muna tapusin itong sa NU.”
READ: Figueroa leads by example in choosing NU over international offer
It’s a defiant stand for the 6-foot-3 forward, and he’s putting his money where his mouth is – pun definitely intended.
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More known to lead by example, Figueroa is starting to break out of his shell, as he’s embracing the change to be one of the vocal leaders for the Bulldogs, shunning his silent demeanor to become the voice his teammates need to listen to.
“Siyempre as a leader and captain, gusto ko rin i-express yung sarili ko na 'di lang ganoon yung kaya kong ipakita. Yun ang binigay na responsibility sa akin, so tine-take ko rin yun para pag-akyat ko ng pro, madala ko rin,” the 23-year-old said.
It may be a foreign concept to begin with, but Figueroa took to heart lessons from last year’s captains in Pat Yu and Donn Lim, emulating their leadership style. Even better, he has already gotten comfortable with all of it.
Of course, Figueroa also recognizes that he has to back his words up, that even if his peers see him as NU’s top dog, he still has to improve on a lot of facets of his game not just for this upcoming Season 88, but to also build his stock wherever fate takes him next.
“Last year ko ito so sabi nga ni coach Jeff [Napa], i-cherish namin yung ilang buwan na magkakasama kami kasi hindi namin alam kung saan kami mapupunta after ng season,” he said.
“Para sa akin, kulang pa ako kaya hindi ako nakukuntento kung anong meron ako. Kaya sinasabi ko lang sa teammates ko na yung effort lagi at wag magre-relax.”
That’s exactly the mentality Figueroa is taking to his soul and who knows, soon enough maybe in Seoul.
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