Romwel Anzures

UST Growling Tigers rookie Collins Akowe and Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Kacey Dela Rosa. Photos from UAAP Media.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759122522134IMG_8458.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="UST Growling Tigers rookie Collins Akowe and Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Kacey Dela Rosa. Photos from UAAP Media."/>UST Growling Tigers rookie Collins Akowe and Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Kacey Dela Rosa. Photos from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas emerged victorious as it opened UAAP Season 88 as hosts, tallying an unblemished start in men’s basketball action.</div>The Growling Tigers launched fireworks in a giant-killing 2-0 start by taking down reigning champion <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/21/uaap-collins-akowe-dominates-in-debut-as-ust-spoils-defending-champ-up-s-rally-1840">University of the Philippines</a> and <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/27/uaap-cabanero-akowe-shine-as-ust-ends-long-losing-streak-against-la-salle-1937">De La Salle University</a>, the last two champions of their division.And the biggest difference was the newest man in the middle in España -- prized rookie Collins Akowe.Meanwhile, a new season changed nothing in the women’s division as back-to-back MVP Kacey Dela Rosa was the same beast, leading Ateneo de Manila University to a 2-0 start.For their impressive performances that kept their schools unblemished from the period of September 20 to 28, Akowe and Dela Rosa were unanimously hailed as this season’s first Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week.Akowe, the UAAP’s first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete in Season 87 with National University-Nazareth School in high school, immediately proved his caliber for UST in its 87-67 stunner over UP on Sept. 21, hauling down 29 points and 17 rebounds in one of the best league debuts in history.He then followed it up with a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double while playing a major role in the Growling Tigers’ 21-10 fourth quarter rally to upset the Green Archers, 93-84.“It’s a great feeling, just taking advantage of our crowd. I just do what I got to do. I’m representing UST, I have to take it upon myself, they’re taking care of me so this is the way I can pay them back,” said Akowe after their opening game win held at their home gym, the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.Akowe outclassed teammate Nic Cabañero, Ateneo’s Kymani Ladi, NU’s Jake Figueroa, and DLSU’s Jacob Cortez for the weekly recognition voted by scribes regularly covering the league.Meanwhile, Dela Rosa put on a show in Ateneo’s 81-52 beating of University of the East on Wednesday, delivering 29 points on 72.2 percent shooting from the field, nine rebounds, five steals, and four blocks.But it was on Sunday, September 28, that her play proved pivotal as Dela Rosa scored 11 of the last 13 Blue Eagles’ points to outlast the Adamson Lady Falcons, 70-60.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/28/uaap-kacey-dela-rosa-bucks-foul-trouble-to-lead-ateneo-past-adamson-2330">READ: Kacey Dela Rosa bucks foul trouble to lead Ateneo past Adamson</a></div>Her 24 points on 88.9% shooting along with 19 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks led Ateneo to the win that carried more weight as Adamson blanked them last season, winning all three of their matchups including the stepladder semifinals that booted them out.Dela Rosa’s numbers bested UP’s Shane Cunanan and Camille Nolasco, NU’s Tin Cayabyab and Ann Pingol, as well as UST’s Oma Onianwa for the citation.“Pinaghandaan talaga namin sila [Elaine] Etang, [Cheska] Apag kasi talagang gigil kami kasi last year [0-3 kami] so ngayon inisip ko na sa amin na ‘yung panalo talaga,” said the Gilas Women center.

For their impressive performances that kept their schools unblemished from the period of September 20 to 28, Akowe and Dela Rosa were unanimously hailed as this season’s first Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week.

For their impressive performances that kept their schools unblemished from the period of September 20 to 28, Akowe and Dela Rosa were unanimously hailed as this season’s first Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week.

UAAP: Players of the Week Akowe, Dela Rosa power UST, Ateneo to perfect starts

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UAAP: Players of the Week Akowe, Dela Rosa power UST, Ateneo to perfect starts

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Published Sep 29, 2025 01:32 PM PHT

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