FRANCIS Nnoruka wasted little time establishing himself as one of the new leaders of the University of the Philippines after the departure of the celebrated “Maroon 5.”
The graduating Nigerian center powered the Fighting Maroons to a perfect 2-0 start in UAAP Season 89, posting double-doubles in each of their first two games against University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University.
His strong opening week earned Nnoruka the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Player of the Week award for September 13 to 19.
The 6-foot-9 big man averaged 15.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block as UP took the early lead in the standings.
Nnoruka opened the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds in UP’s 92-85 victory over UST on September 13 before following it up with 12 points and 13 rebounds in the Fighting Maroons’ 94-75 win over Ateneo six days later. Both games were played at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
His defensive work was also instrumental in the opening-day victory, as he helped contain UST standout Collins Akowe, the Season 88 Rookie of the Year and a member of last season’s Mythical Team.
Nnoruka said UP’s current squad has the responsibility of maintaining the standard established by its previous championship-caliber teams, led by the “Maroon 5” of Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Reyland Torres, Terrence Fortea and Gerry Abadiano.
“I believe the previous UP teams have a standard. So just pretty much continue where they left off and raise the standards higher,” Nnoruka said.
The Fighting Maroons fell short of the championship last season, but Nnoruka said that experience has only strengthened their determination in his final year with the program.
Despite UP’s impressive start, however, Nnoruka knows the team still has plenty of work ahead.
“I’m excited we got the win but just got a lot to work on and you know a lot of stuff we need to improve so we’re gonna head back to the lab and get to work,” he said.
Nnoruka edged fellow UP player Noy Remogat, UST’s Amiel Acido, NU’s Kenshin Padrones, Adamson’s Mathew Montebon, DLSU’s Luis Pablo and Ateneo rookie Kieffer Alas for the weekly honor.
UP will look to extend its unbeaten run when it faces National University on September 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. (Adrian Co)
