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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Following a career-high game, UP's Nnoruka strives for more

Following a career-high game, UP's Nnoruka strives for more

Published Oct 9, 2025 12:30 pm  |  Updated Oct 9, 2025 02:46 pm

At A Glance

  • University of the Philippines big man Francis Nnoruka continues to establish himself as one of the top foreign student-athletes in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
UP's Francis Nnoruka (UAAP Media)
UP's Francis Nnoruka (UAAP Media)
University of the Philippines big man Francis Nnoruka continues to establish himself as one of the top foreign student-athletes in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
After his career-high 28 points that powered the Fighting Maroons to an 83-69 win over erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo Blue Eagles last Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Mall of Asia Arena.
The 23-year-old Nnoruka strives for more as he aims to help the State U retain its title this year.
“I feel like there's a whole lot more that I still gotta work on and improve on. Getting familiar with the team and the system that we play,” said Nnoruka, who also posted nine rebounds, four steals and one block in 30 minutes of action.
“So, I feel like I still gotta work more. It's always a grind, it's always a grind on the mindset to do better, play better each and every game,” he added.
The 6-foot-9 Nigerian imposed his will down the paint where he went spectacular on both ends, while commanding a second-half surge with the help of guards Noy Remogat and Harold Alarcon.
Their efforts paid off as UP snatched its third straight victory to rebound from its disappointing 0-2 start, while also spoiling Ateneo's torrid 4-0 start to the season.
“It was a great game and it feels good to win. We've worked hard, prepared for this game coming in today,” Nnoruka continued. “We all showed up, my teammates, coaches, and everybody, so we played together.”
Nnoruka lives up to the expectations as UP’s newest reinforcement as the State U had previously handled elite FSAs in the likes of former UAAP MVPs Bright Akhuetie and Malick Diouf, to list a few
Head coach Goldwin Monteverde appreciated Nnoruka’s drive to gel with the squad, especially his grit to improve the team's chemistry.
“Improvement wise, malaki na i-improve niya, hindi lang improvement kasi the way he's really working hard and trying to familiarize himself with the system,” said Monteverde.
“Every day na, I mean, trying to focus on how to work with the team, how to have that chemistry with the team, I think for me, he's doing fine,” he added.
Nnoruka looks to duplicate his splendid showing when UP shoots for four in a row against Far Eastern University Sunday, Oct. 12, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Related Tags

UP Fighting Maroons UAAP Season 88 Ateneo Blue Eagles Francis Nnoruka
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