think rainbows

For the Tigers at least...

UST ended their UAAP Season 73 Men’s Basketball campaign placing 7th overall in the standings. Considering the team’s fourth place finish in Season 72 with a 6-8 record, and fifth place finish in Season 71 with the same win-loss record, this is a whole different story. But then, we also have to consider the fact that they had veterans Dylan Ababou and Khasim Mirza back then, who have now both graduated and have suited up for the Smart Gilas RP Team and the PBA, respectively.

So what was left of Coach Pido’s team? Third years and sophomores, a number of rookies plus new recruits, as well as relegates from team B. A young team indeed which made pre-season critics put them at the bottom of the food chain, predicting that they were to finish dead last in the tournament. There was no definite veteran left in the team as all eyes were set on Jeric Teng, UAAP Season 72 ROY, to help lead the Tigers together with third years Clark Bautista, Jeric Fortuna, Chris Camus, Melo Afuang, and fellow sophomore Aljon Mariano.

What was to expect from this young Tigers? They did not join any pre-season tournaments which made them very unpredictable for no one knew what they could bring to the table. Except for the holdovers, their rookies and recruits were kept in secret, until the opening game against UE. The Tigers came out strong and won the game even if UE bannered veteran Paul Lee and the comeback of James Martinez from injury, thanks to a new recruit in Ed Daquioag from Benedictine IS. UST was in the game, Coach Pido and the whole squad was indeed able to do some adjustments with the team.

But is it enough? The defending champions were still too much for the Tigers as they lost the next game against Ateneo. Although they did not go down without a fight for Ateneo was only able to register a big lead later in the fourth quarter, thanks to their endgame run, they were just not prepared for Justin Chua’s heroics and they still needed to learn more.
The Growling Tigers made their presence felt once again, as they showed their fiery three-point shooting against the Maroons and the Falcons. They shot 16 three pointers in each game, which made them the no.1 three-point shooting team in the league, and made their shooters the no.1 focus of their opponent’s defense giving them a tougher challenge in the next games. They won against UP in overtime, but lost to Adamson in a game that they could’ve actually won. They were able to contain Emmanuel Mbe and beat NU, but couldn’t do anything more against Lasalle and FEU as they finished the first round of eliminations with a not so bad 3-4 record.

UST then went on a three game losing streak at the start of the second round of eliminations which slowly crippled their chances of landing a spot in the final four. There was that double overtime game against Adamson, where UAAP enthusiasts saw the two teams battle it out for almost 3 hours of basketball action. The Falcons won that game though, and after the Tigers won against UP, nothing more followed. They ended the second round of eliminations with a sloppy 1-6 record, giving them an overall record of 4-10.

The Philippine Collegiate Champions League or better known as PCCL could have been a stepping stone for the Tigers in the maturity of their games as different teams from the UAAP, NCAA, and other provincial colleges comprise the participants. Unfortunately, they were not able to qualify, so right now they are back to school, back to training, and back to the drawing boards.

Serious training, practice, drills, strength, and endurance. If UST wants to at least secure a spot in the final four next year, they have got to improve on their overall game individually, but most importantly, as a team. They have got to take better care of the ball to avoid those costly turnovers, outrun their opponents and score on fastbreaks, attack the defense to get those fouls, and be consistent. On the average, only 6-7 players from UST have been scoring for them, even in games where almost all of the players were actually used. Bench scoring is a big factor during games, so Coach Pido’s starters off the bench have to start getting those shots in. Since they are undersized, they have to find ways on how to rebound the ball defensively and offensively, box out, and get those second chance points coming too. In short, UST has got their hands full for next season. (These are just purely my opinions, and of course, things are easier said than done.)

There have been talks of a Cameroonian recruit suiting up for UST next season. If he was the one I saw at the UST gym, his built is close to Pippo Noundou I think; bulky, muscular, and probably just a bit taller than Chris Camus. He could be enough for a legit center for the Tigers together with (hopefully an improved) Paolo Pe, but we’ll have to wait and see if he will be worth it, if he could match up with the likes of Mbe and Noundou, and if he will be able to do wonders for the Tigers. (He better do!)

Overall, as much as I hate to say it, UST had more bad games than good ones for the whole season. They also don’t have that one good game where they really played well as a team. The Tigers at least still have that never say die attitude, the energy and the heart to win the game, and the supporters to cheer for them. We just have to see it more often and convert them to more W’s in the next season. I am hopeful for a better and improved Growling Tigers, a team to watch out for. Viva Santo Tomas! :D

Just a thought…
Do you think it’s time to retire the Tiger print version of their uniforms? I suggest the old Santo Tomas version of the UST jersey, the one the players wore during the 4-peat era? It doesn’t look that bad, and besides, ‘Santo Tomas’ would represent the school better. (Yes, just like ‘Ateneo’ and ‘La Salle’) They could still add the Tiger image but maybe a smaller version like a patch or something.