think rainbows

“It’s redemption year for us.”

Coach Pido was all smiles as he shook hands with the NU coaching staff. The Growling Tigers had just won their first UAAP game for this season against the NU Bulldogs. A revamped Tiger squad outlasted a Parks-reinforced NU squad yesterday, 73-72 after 45 minutes of basketball action.

UST had a hot start registering an 8-0 run early on, courtesy of the gutsy birthday boy Chris Camus. It resulted to a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, as we saw NU struggle with their game, even with Mbe and the much awaited Parks in their starting five. It could be first game jitters or nerves kicking in, but NU fought back in the second quarter to take the lead, 33-31 at halftime. It wasn’t a very celebrated third quarter for both of the teams but NU’s free throw shooting helped them stay in the game plus Mbe’s dunks and Villamor’s shooting, while UST’s foul troubles and miscues almost lost them the game as the third quarter ended at 44-all.

The fourth quarter saw NU come alive as they registered their biggest lead of the ball game at 59-52 with 4:15 left in the 4th quarter after Villamor’s 10 unanswered points. It looked as if NU’s got the game, but UST just never gave up as Jeric Teng hit a silencer of a three pointer with 3 minutes left in the ball game. UST’s other shooters followed suit with the smallest guy in Fortuna hitting the biggest baskets of them all to tie the ball game at 65-all. Former UST Tiger cub Cedrick Labing-isa’s triple attempt didn’t quite make it as the buzzer sounded and the game went into overtime.

The veteran in Jeric Fortuna came out as he gave UST a four-point lead at the start of the extra period. Parks then hit a crucial three-pointer to put NU within 1, 69-68. A Jeric Teng basket gave UST a three-point lead, but back-to-back baskets from Parks and Villamor put the Bulldogs ahead at 72-71. Jeric Fortuna drove to the basket, taking matters into his own hands as he put UST in the lead, 73-72. Parks had the chance to make the last basket and win it all for the Bulldogs, but Teng didn’t let him loose as his shot went awry and the debuting Kevin Ferrer who finished double-double took the rebound and was fouled with 0.7 seconds left. UST would then win the game.


I loved how the Tigers played yesterday, especially the veterans Camus, Fortuna, and Teng, as well as the rookie Kevin Ferrer. I was excited for Abdul too but he didn’t play that much or at least he wasn’t that effective yesterday, although he did make 5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. He need more focus. Chris Camus was his usual self, he was all over the place, grabbing rebounds, scoring points, and helping the Tigers all around, finishing with a double-double. Jeric Fortuna was the calm and silent captain/point guard that he is, and in those dying minutes in regulation and then into overtime, he was just the real veteran for the team. Jeric Teng’s drives are back on track, and his defense on Parks was very commendable. And what more can I say about Kevin Ferrer’s debut as a Growling Tiger? Only this: Thank you for staying at home. The guys may have been the same, but you can really see some huge improvement. Coach Pido was right, it showed, they have a different mindset coming into this season.

There were still some scrappy plays here and there, but at least they didn’t waver in the end game, especially in overtime. Clark Bautista’s scoring is missed, but the Tigers showed that they can still do it without him. Kevin Ferrer may only be a rookie, but he’s got a whole lot more than just being a rookie, and could even be a go-to-guy early on. The rookie’s got a lot of respect for his veterans, and they in him. I hope this really works well for the Tigers for the rest of the season because if it does, then we do really have a crack at that final four spot. As for Abdul, probably nerves kicked in, but he needs to step up and not pressure himself too much if he wants to match up with the other teams’ players. I believe he has it in him; he just needs a baptism of fire into the UAAP or something; just like what Parks got yesterday. And if Abdul does step up, then he could definitely be a threat.  

I’m wishing and praying for the best for the whole team. The veteran Fortuna and the rookie Ferrer together with Camus, Teng, and the others have shown what UST has become. It’s a start. It makes me more excited to watch their games live and cheer for them. Of course a big question right now is their consistency, and how they’ll match up with other teams, and their end game. If they’ll be able to do this in every other game, or even improve on their games more as the season goes, we’ll have to wait and see. But definitely, they shouldn’t let a repeat of last season happen. I have high hopes for you dear Growling Tigers. Growl LOUD and PROUD! Cheers to 400 years!

Go Tigers! Go USTe!!

P.S.
The Varsitarian’s fearless forecasts. (Includes Basketball and Cheerdance)
And I like the new courtside reporter, Tina Marasigan. :)

Post comments (na hindi ko mailagay sa main post, lol):
I loved the Teng-Ferrer tandem yesterday, I think that happened twice or thrice. Jeric Fortuna really shone the brightest! Goodness that guy! And Chris Camus, you’re the man! Even TJ Manotoc had to comment that Chris might not be human, haha! Camus was super yesterday! If he can do that even if it’s not his birthday, he’s a monster! Ah, Kevin Ferrer, I really love you for staying with the Tigers. You’re getting your minutes, and you’re converting them to points, rebounds, and eventually a win for the Tigers. Yaaaay for you! Jeric Teng. I still adore you. Your defense, your three pointers, your drives, you’re still the Tengminator. Yes, nagkalat yung NU (I kind of don’t like their players.), Parks still made 16points in a losing effort; yes, most of the UST guys were just at the right place at the right time; but still, UST won, against NU (with Mbe and Parks)! 1-0! =))