The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are no longer the league’s easy prey now, they’re the predators on the prowl.
Riding the momentum of back-to-back giant kills, UST will attempt to scorch the National University Bulldogs when they clash Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. inside the roaring Quadricentennial Pavilion.
From cellar-dwellers to early contenders, the Tigers have shocked the UAAP by toppling defending champion University of the Philippines and ending a 16-game curse against La Salle.
Now, they’re eyeing a 3-0 start for the first time since 2015 the year of their last Finals appearance.
Leading the charge is rookie revelation Collins Akowe, who has bulldozed his way to averages of 24.5 points and 18 rebounds in his first two games.
With Forthsky Padrigao steering the offense and Nic Cabañero embracing his role as scoring anchor, UST suddenly looks like a team reborn under coach Pido Jarencio’s firebrand system.
But NU won’t be easy prey. With a healthier lineup this year, coach Jeff Napa believes his Bulldogs are hungrier and tougher.
All eyes are locked on the heavyweight paint battle between Akowe and NU’s Senegalese center Omar John, whose size and mobility could test the rookie’s early dominance.
For Akowe, it’s personal too facing his former high school alma mater adds an emotional edge to the collision.
España is ready. The Tigers are hungry. The Bulldogs are snarling. Something has to give.
The post UST, Collins Akowe eye first 3-0 start in a decade first appeared on Fastbreak.
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