TWO YEARS ago, an image of a Thomasian singing the UST hymn alone, after the Growling Tigers suffered their 11th loss, went viral.

Isaac Coloma, an entrepreneurship alumnus, sings the UST hymn alone as the Tigers absorb their 11th loss (Photo grabbed from Peachy Rosales-Natividad/ Twitter)

That was during UST’s forgettable one-win season. The Tigers, led by then head coach Boy Sablan, gave the Thomasian community almost nothing to cheer about.

But Isaac Coloma, an entrepreneurship alumnus, kept believing.

“I think that they needed more support in their lowest point. It was my way of showing them that they still deserve to be supported, win or lose,” Coloma told the Varsitarian in an online interview. “I just loved them the way they deserved to be loved.”

This UAAP Season 82, two years after their infamous bottom of the barrel season, the Tigers are finally back in finals contention after a four-year absence.

And Thomasians, now back in full force, are giving the Tigers a much needed lift, especially with the team in danger of being swept by defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The “Go USTe!” chant reverberates in sports arenas again, and a sea of yellow is always present in every game.

And Coloma couldn’t be prouder of the team he once cheered for alone.

“Tigers, this is what you deserve: all the cheers, prayers and love. Thank you for inspiring us and I know that the community will continue to have your backs because you deserve nothing less than this,” he said.

Coloma was among 19,176 fans who witnessed Ateneo crush UST in Game 1 of the finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

The words of Golden Tigress legend Sisi Rondina, he said, were needed more than ever: “Love UST the way I loved UST. Love [the athletes] beyond imperfections. Cheer with all your hearts. We never lose when we love our Tigers.”

The Tigers will look to force a rubber match as they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena at 4 p.m. today.

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