NU’s Figueroa eyes overseas stint

Jake Figueroa had his last hurrah as a Bulldog over the weekend after a 78-73 loss to the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four

UAAP Medis

MANILA, Philippines — Strutting his stuff abroad is now one of the ultimate goals for National University captain Jake Figueroa after a tough exit in his final UAAP season.

Figueroa had his last hurrah as a Bulldog over the weekend after a 78-73 loss to the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four, opening the door for the professional world as his next immediate pathway.

“Kahit ano, okay lang naman ako. Siyempre, iba pa rin kung sa international ka maglaro,” said the UAAP Elite Team member, who poured 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in the win-or-go-home Game 2.

“Siyempre, ‘yun naman lahat siguro ng athlete ngayon sa mga goal nila or pinapangarap nila. So, siyempre ako rin, dream ko rin na makalaro sa international.”

Figueroa dropped 20 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1, where the Bulldogs also absorbed an 87-77 defeat to waste a twice-to-beat-advantage as the No. 1 team in the eliminations against the fourth-ranked Green Archers.

It wasn’t the swan song Figueroa hoped for but his individual campaign definitely proved enough to earn the nod of some overseas scouts, including those from the Korean Basketball League.

While Figueroa kept mum about his next step and nothing is cast in stone just yet, sources said he’s in talks with a KBL team as the next Filipino import midway through the season after impressing scouts in his final season with NU despite the team’s early exit.

The PBA Draft late next year is also an option for the team captain of coach Jeff Napa’s charges.

“Marami pa ako kailangan i-adjust sa sarili ko para maging handa ako kung sakali na wala kumuha sa akin sa international. Kahit na marami nagsasabi na ready na ako sa PBA Draft, marami pa ako kulang as a player,” vowed the 6-foot-3 Kapampangan.

For now, he’s savoring his last season not only as Bulldog on the court but as a graduating student-athlete in NU.

“Wala pa (plans). Gusto ko muna mag-relax,” said Jake Figueroa after an illustrious campus basketball career also marked by a UAAP juniors MVP with Adamson before his NU stint in collegiate play.

“No regrets naman kasi binigay naman namin 100% namin ngayong game. Sobrang blessed ko rin na nag-NU ako, kumbaga, tinapos ko yung playing years ko sa NU. Sobrang ganda ng journey ang tinakbo namin, lalo na kaming mga seniors.”