UAAP: As leader, Jake Figueroa takes responsibility for NU loss

NU Bulldogs’ Jake Figueroa against UST defenders during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Jake Figueroa took responsibility for National University’s latest heartbreak in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

At Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, NU succumbed to University of Santo Tomas, 67-64, to drop back-to-back games.

The Bulldogs slid to 1-3 in the young season despite the valiant effort from Figueroa, who owned up to their latest loss as the team’s veteran.

“As a veteran and a leader of the team, I’m trying to shoulder the responsibilities. I’m one of the guys who organizes this team, so I need to [step up],” said Figueroa in Filipino.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“Coach Jeff (Napa) trusts me, saying, ‘If I have the power to help the team win, I also have the power to make them lose.’ It’s a tough challenge, but I’m taking on that responsibility as a leader.”

Figueroa finished with a near double-double to the tune of 11 points and nine rebounds. He registered a blistering 62.5 percent shooting clip missing just three of his eight tries for the game.

But two of his three misses came down the stretch when NU was chasing UST, 66-64.

READ: UAAP: NU Bulldogs determined to go ‘all out’ sans Mo Diassana

Those shots are sure to come up in Figueroa’s training after their tough loss at the hands of the now 3-1 Tigers.

“I’ll start again on practice. For sure, we got training tomorrow even if it’s Sunday. We have to bounce back,” said Figueroa.

It certainly doesn’t help the Bulldogs’ cause that they’re playing without the services of foreign student athlete, Mo Diassana, who’s out of the Bulldogs’ lineup due to a knee injury.

“Coach Jeff keeps telling us to rely on ourselves. We don’t have a shot blocker, we don’t have a FSA,” he said.