From Jake Figueroa’s all-around brilliance to Angel Surada’s two-way dominance, National University proved to a highly competitive UAAP landscape why it remains a force to be reckoned with in the second round of Season 88 Collegiate Basketball.
Figueroa rose to the occasion to power the Bulldogs’ bounce-back victory against the Ateneo Blue Eagles after a close loss to defending champions UP, while Surada starred in back-to-back triumphs over the UE Lady Warriors and the Blue Eagles to earn them Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Players of the Week citations presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the period of October 22 to 26.
Eager to atone for a narrow 74-78 loss to the University of the Philippines last Wednesday, Figueroa refused to let NU suffer the same fate against Ateneo — flaunting his all-around play with 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block to steer the Bulldogs back on the winning track on Sunday.
Over the week’s span, the Minalin, Pampanga native averaged 17.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks — a pivotal factor as NU solidified its hold on solo first place in the eight-team field with a 7-2 win-loss card — creating a one-game cushion over closest rival UP (6-3).
“Naging composed lang kami. Kahit lamang sila, hindi kami na-rattle kaya siguro nakalamang kami and nanalo,” Figueroa said, who bested the La Salle duo JC Macalalag and Earl Abadam, Adamson University center Cedrick Manzano, and UP floor general Rey Remogat for the award sponsored by Discovery Suites and Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things.
Over in the women’s division, Surada’s stellar performance over the week — posting averages of 16 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 steals, and 1.5 assists — allowed the Lady Bulldogs to roll towards their sixth consecutive victory and cement their grip on solo second place with a 7-1 slate.
The Gilas Women forward registered 10 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in NU’s 31-point, 84-53 rout of winless UE on Wednesday, and followed it up with a near triple-double outing of 22 points, 11 steals, nine rebounds, and one assist in a commanding 69-47 victory over perennial contender on Ateneo on Sunday.
For Surada, her Player of the Week-worthy performance was simply a reflection of NU’s core identity — defense first — a crucial factor in the Lady Bulldogs’ success in UAAP women’s basketball over the past decade.
“Lagi lang sinasabi sa amin ng coaches, lalo nung halftime, na ayusin namin yung depensa namin kasi yung depensa namin yung nag-ffuel ng offense namin,” said Surada, who edged out teammate Tin Cayabyab, UST guard Brigette Santos, Ateneo’s reigning two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa, and FEU’s Yvette Villanueva to earn the weekly citation.
