Jake Figueroa and Angel Surada take the spotlight to earn the latest UAAP Player of the Week nods, putting up stellar performances for NU in both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
Who let the dogs out? Well, apparently NU did.
Behind their solid play, Sampaloc’s own Jake Figueroa and Angel Surada stepped up to plate to claim the latest UAAP Season 88 Player of the Week citations for the period of October 22-26.
Figueroa powered through sickness to deliver a strong stat line of 17 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists to help the Bulldogs bounce back at the expense of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in men’s basketball action.
[ALSO READ: Under-the-weather Jake Figueroa powers through as NU keeps first place in UAAP Season 88]
That crucial win kept National U in pole position with a 7-2 record, maintaining a one game lead for first place with five game days remaining.
[ALSO READ: UAAP standings: NU remains on top with UP, DLSU, UST not far behind]
“Naging composed lang kami. Kahit lamang sila, hindi kami na-rattle kaya siguro nakalamang kami and nanalo,” Figueroa said, who beat the likes of La Salle duo JC Macalalag and Earl Abadam, Adamson’s Cedrick Manzano, and UP’s Rey Remogat for the weekly citation.
On the women’s side, Angel Surada’s stellar two-way play has been the driving force behind the Lady Bulldogs’ dominant run to six consecutive victories that tightened their grip on second place with a 7-1 record.
In NU’s 84-53 romp of UE, the Gilas Women player posted a double-double outing of 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Just days later, she followed up with a near triple-double outing of 22 markers, 11 steals, and nine rebounds in a 69-47 beatdown of Ateneo.
“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,” Surada said.
She beat teammate Tin Cayabyab, UST’s Brigette Santos, Ateneo’s two-time reigning MVP Kacey dela Rosa, and FEU’s Yvette Villanueva for the weekly honor.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.