think rainbows

UST’s last game for the 1st round of the Men’s Basketball UAAP Season 73 will be held tomorrow, and what better way to have your last game than against the no.1 undefeated team in the standings, the FEU Tamaraws.

This is a big challenge for the UST Tigers and their whole coaching staff. How will they be able to handle FEU’s big men? How will they be able to cope up with FEU’s veterans? How will they be able to defend well and produce good offense? A lot of questions raising up if you think about it, but with UST’s way of playing every game, expect the unexpected. They will never give up, and they will surely give one hell of a fight, even if they’re totally underdogs against their opponents. Can they win it? I believe they can, if they execute really well, they’re deadly even for the undefeated.

Nervousness and excitement settles in. FEU is a great team, no doubt about that, and it is also undeniably hard when you face them. UST can use their hunger, for the win and for revenge, to their advantage to win the game. If UST wins, it’ll be a big blow on the Tamaraws who will be dealing with their first loss if ever that happens, while it’ll be a big confidence booster for the Tigers. If UST loses, at least we all hope that they show a great game, a game worthy of a final four spot at least, while everyone’s eyes will still be up on the undefeated FEU team. So far UST’s games have been about their 3-point shots, but are also slowly showing what they can do against teams who have someone like Emmanuel Mbe. But will it be enough against the big FEU team? They’ve been able to survive their battles against their opponents by hurting them with those perimeter shots, especially in the end game. But they’ve also been hurt, mostly by inside shots, something that the Tigers are lacking. Some were enough, but some were a little too late. We have also seen Jeric Teng struggling with his game, probably due to the fact that teams are focusing their defense on him and Clark Bautista, UST’s main offensive weapons. UST’s losses are pretty close, averaging in 8 points while their wins are averaging in 6.67 points. (If my statistics are correct.) It’s just a matter of consistency all throughout the game, the strong will and fighting heart to win the game, and lesser errors, especially those turnovers. If UST will not be able to limit their turnovers, coach Pido is in trouble. But if UST’s big three, Clark Bautista, Jeric Teng, and Jeric Fortuna all fire up, with the addition of UST’s big men in Camus, Afuang, and Pe, then that’s something to worry about for their opponents.

UST has to show their true colors on the court again; the true intensity of a growling tiger, like what they have shown during the UP, Adamson, and NU games, and even the game against Ateneo. They are slowly climbing up the ladder, and they’re totally not out of the race yet. They never give up and just kept on fighting, giving their all to be able to win the game. Sometimes it wasn’t enough, or the other team was just luckier, but still they were all out. They have to work extra hard this time, on their defense and should bring back their offense. They have to consider how they will be able to break the defenses that are put up on them, especially on their shooters. Jeric Teng has to gather himself together, bring back the great game he had against the Falcons and show what he is truly made of, against the FEU Tamaraws. Jeric Fortuna would also be a huge help if his game against the Fighting Maroons is to come alive again. The whole team has to step up starting now, as they will be facing a very tough competition against the Tamaraws. This could also serve as a learning experience for them, something they could use in their upcoming games against the other teams in round 2.

One thing is for sure, people don’t underestimate the Tigers anymore, unlike before the UAAP started. Now, they’re all praises for the 3 point shooting of UST, and on how they play all their games, commending the Tigers’ fighting spirit, and even considering them as a contender in the Final Four. It gives us Thomasians something more to be proud of, though we have been proud of our school even before. We know that our team has been doing everything they could for the school, their fans, supporters, and the whole Thomasian community. In return, we support them all the way, cheer our hearts out, and have the never say die attitude for them. Big game against FEU tomorrow, so expect the Tigers to show their deadly fangs against these Tamaraws and hear the loud growls of the Thomasian faithful. U-S-T Let’s go, fight! :)