NATIONAL U caught the biggest fish from its own juniors pool with one-time UAAP boys' basketball MVP Collins Akowe listed on its roster for the PinoyLiga Collegiate Cup Season 4.

However, the Bulldogs are only guaranteed to have the 6-foot-8 powerhouse for the particular preseason tournament - for the time being, at the very least.

PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau

Team insiders bared that Akowe is yet to commit to staying in blue-and-gold, though that, of course, is a much-welcome development for both sides.

The Nigerian foreign student-athlete (FSA) was hailed as Season 86 MVP and was the frontrunner for the same award in Season 87 before the UAAP enforced a new rule that reserves the top individual player trophy for Filipinos.

Still, Akowe was a beast in his last year for NU-Nazareth School, posting a double-double on the daily with 20.8 points and 19.2 rebounds on top of 2.7 assists and 1.8 blocks.

His presence will answer National U's biggest question in its seniors squad, as it had to go all-Filipino through the previous tournament after Omar Diassana suffered a season-ending injury in the first half of its first game.

Diassana and Omar John, who was the team's FSA in Season 86, are also part of the Jhocson crew's PinoyLiga roster, but Akowe is a much more proven product - especially with a slew of former Bullpup bigs also moving up in the likes of Migs Palanca and Jedric Solomon.

For now, however, sources said that as he continues to weigh his options, Akowe will be out to stay in game-shape all while getting a feel of his fit within head coach Jeff Napa's Bulldogs.

PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon

And that goes as well for NU's seniors squad, which hopes to see if its prized prospect from the juniors is well worth the time, effort, and whatever else resources are needed for him to stay.

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