Cowgirls acquire Favour from Maroons

University of the Philippines center Favour Onoh is taking her act to the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) after getting recruited by Oklahoma State University (OSU).

Although missing the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s basketball tournament due to knee injuries, Onoh’s impact for the Fighting Maroons did not go unnoticed, with the OSU giving the Nigerian student-athlete an opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m super excited to play in the NCAA because it will help me gain experience and knowledge. It’s one step to my goal of playing professionally,” the 19-year-old workhorse said.

The UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year delivered monster numbers in her freshman year, averaging 11.0 points, 14.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 assists.

Onoh and Filipino-Frenchwoman Louna Ozar teamed up to carry the State University to a first playoff berth since 2008. UP forced then twice-to-beat University of Santo Tomas to a do-or-die game but fell short in the sudden death.

Onoh, unfortunately, hurt her knee during the offseason, sidelining her for the rest of Season 87.

Fully recovered and ready for action, Onoh is expected to deliver the same impact she did for the Fighting Maroons, who opened the doors for her basketball career and chance to get a good education, with the Cowgirls.

“I would not be able to have this kind of opportunity without UP and the skills I learned not just in basketball, but also in life,” she said.

“I believe OSU will allow me to develop more. Aside from giving good education just like UP, it will also give me a better opportunity to play professionally.”

Onoh is scheduled to fly to Stillwater, Oklahoma on 2 June and begin training with the Cowgirls for the Big 12 Tournament later in the year.

For its part, UP is nothing but proud to see yet another one of its student-athletes bringing the UP Fight overseas.

“We are all proud of Favour and we will all continue supporting her. At the same time, you can’t help but admire that in just a few years, our women’s basketball team has produced this kind of talent,” Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol said.

Onoh now stands alongside men’s basketball team players Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño, Carl Tamayo, JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez as former Fighting Maroons playing internationally.

Despite Onoh’s departure, UP’s future looks bright with Ozar and Kaye Pesquera leading the charge.