BY Rickie Santos
ONLY a couple of weeks ago, the biggest story coming out from the UAAP front was one-time MVP and first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete (FSA) Collins Akowe committing to University of Santo Tomas.
READ: 6-10 Akowe eager to help out 'championship contender' UST
For the USTe crowd, Akowe's transfer from National U to España was a real game-changer.
Rewind to Season 87, and the two teams that battled for all marbles in the finals didn't feel their FSAs all that much. That’s why UAAP followers said they were missing the days when the likes of Ben Mbala ang Ange Kouame were patrolling the paint for La Salle and Ateneo, respectively.
That being said, let’s see if the current crop of FSAs training for the coming Season 88 can provide enough action in the interior.
Since his entry created the biggest buzz, the guys in black and gold are now pinning their title hopes on Akowe - and the Nigerian dynamo's numbers can back him up.
Last year, he averaged 20.8 points, 19.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks per outing for NU-Nazareth School. Had the UAAP not revised its rules on awards, he would have graduated from high school with two Most Valuable Player trophies. Instead, he settled for Best FSA - the first individual to receive the newly created award.
Those numbers the ex-Bullpup posted were very impressive, more enough to guarantee him a spot on the Growling Tigers' lineup.
More than a few critics, however, said that Akowe only got those numbers because he was a head taller than most of the opposition in high school - and that he wouldn't be able to duplicate what he did in the juniors with the big boys in the collegiate ranks ready to bang with bodies in the paint.
There were even those who were saying that Peter Osang has improved by leaps and bounds. Maybe, but he is offense-deficient and can only chip in rebounds and blocks.
In the end, there’s no question their latest big catch will be UST’s man in the middle come September.
Aside from Akowe, other big men with the big numbers come the new season should be Far Eastern University’s Mo Konateh and University of the East’s Precious Momowei. They are experienced FSAs and both know what their teams want from them.
Konateh ranked third in statistical points (SPs) last season, just following the Green Archers' 1-2 punch of Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips. In playing 35 minutes a game, the Gambian topped the league in rebounds at 16.71. He also normed 10.21 points on respectable percentages, as well as 2.36 blocks.
For his part, Momowei was fifth in SPs with averages of 12.57 points and 13.57 rebounds an outing.
Expect Konateh and Momowei to pitch tent in and around the lane where they best operate. While they may get the big numbers in the stat sheets, support from their local crews may be lacking for their teams to have successful runs.
Shot in the arm in both sides of Katipunan
Ateneo, for its part, will be parading a brand new FSA in 6-foot-10 Divine Adili, who is a new face in the UAAP scene, but has been plying his craft in the Philippines for a while now.
Before becoming a Blue Eagle, Adili played for the New Era Junior Hunters in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities where he was named MVP in his final two high school years.
Adili is hoping to banner Ateneo’s redemption season, even as many failed to see him in action, as the blue-and-white didn’t join the ongoing 2025 Filoil Preseason Cup.
However, Adili did give a glimpse of his game in the Asiabasket meet. He easily posted double-double games - and in the championship match where the Blue Eagles lost to La Salle, he had 13 points and 13 rebounds.
READ: This 6-9 Nigerian makes compelling case to be UP's new FSA
With a number of starters and frontliners leaving Diliman, the University of the Philippines’ new FSA Francis Nnoruka has his work cut out for him.
He is no Malik Diouf, but the Nigerian stands at an athletic 6-9 and should figure in the Fighting Maroons’ title defense. In State U's stacked roster, he showed that given some days, he can put up 20-point games and with his jumping ability, expect him to come up with blocks.
UAAP fans know that La Salle’s Bright Nwankwo, Omar John of National U, and OJ Ojarikre of Adamson are no great shakes. John and Ojarikre will help in rebounding and defend the lane. Nwankwo won’t be missed even if he can’t play with the Archers’ solid crew.
Nonetheless, this year's batch of FSAs seem to be the most talented in recent memory.
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