UST signs Collins Akowe, Best Foreign Player from NU Bullpups, for Season 88

UST Growling Tigers have signed Collins Akowe, who was named the UAAP Season 87 boys' Best Foreign Student-Athlete for NU Bullpups.

After weeks of negotiations with UST's coaching staff led by head coach Pido Jarencio and team managers Waiyip Chong and Eric Ang, Akowe committed to playing in the Tigers' collegiate campaign starting in Season 88.

Standing at 6-foot-10 with a strong frame, Akowe averaged impressive stats of 20.94 points, 19.28 rebounds, 2.56 assists, and 1.96 blocks in Season 87, helping UST build on their third-place finish from the previous season.

Akowe joins a reinforcement pool that includes Peter Osang, Joseph Kumbai, and Racine Kane, who is recovering from an ACL injury. The Nigerian slotman will be eligible to play immediately after anchoring the Bullpups' back-to-back Finals appearances in Seasons 86 and 87.

UST's frontcourt will benefit from Akowe's addition, along with local players like Koji Buenaflor and Gelo Crisostomo, as the Tigers look to end a 19-year title drought since Season 69 under Jarencio.