For the past two seasons, the UST Growling Tigers have barely scraped the podium of UAAP 3×3 basketball, finishing fourth in Seasons 85 and 86.
This year, Amiel Acido, Ice Danting, Zain Mahmoud, and Angelo Crisostomo hope to break that streak and reclaim the Tigers’ lost glory in the Season 87 3×3 basketball tournament.
“The other players, sabi sa amin na palagi na lang fourth place ‘yong UST, so ang goal namin is to change that,” Acido, who will be playing in his first competitive 3×3 tournament, told the Varsitarian.
“Ayaw lang namin maglaro para lang makapaglaro. Gusto namin may goal kami. So ang mentality namin is to win every game and then tingnan natin if makuha ‘yong championship.”
The 3×3 basketball format has simplified rules, including a shorter 12-second shot clock compared to the traditional 24-second rule and different rebounding regulations, such as bringing the ball outside the 3-point line to reset possession.
Additionally, shots inside the arc are worth one point, while shots outside the arc are worth two points.
Acido said he had difficulties adjusting to 3×3 but believed his basketball instincts would be enough to keep UST’s consistent standing in the event.
“Medyo may paninibago lang ako — actually ‘yongh buong team — but syempre we are trying to learn the game and same pa rin naman na basketball ‘yan,” he added.
Meanwhile, Danting sees the 3×3 stint as a platform to showcase what he could not do in the full-court version of the game.
“Sa 3×3, mas mapu-prove ko pa ‘yong talent and skills ko so ‘yong mga hindi ko napapakita sa 5×5, baka magkaroon ako ng chance to show sa halfcourt,” he told the Varsitarian.
The Growling Tigers won the 3×3 tournament in Season 84, becoming the third team to reign in the event. The DLSU Green Archers have won back-to-back titles since.
In the boys’ tournament, the Tiger Cubs will parade outgoing players Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding, along with Kirk Cañeta and Charles Esteban, as they seek to bring their championship identity to the 3×3 court.
Last year, the senior high school team fell short of the title, losing to the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, who swept the competition en route to their second straight 3×3 title.
“Last year, talagang kinapos tayo so this year, medyo naging mature na ‘yong mga bata,” UST assistant coach Noli Mejos told the Varsitarian. “Gusto namin ibigay na ‘yong best version namin para makakuha ulit tayo ng championship this year.”
The UAAP will also feature a 3×3 tournament in the juniors division, where 5×5 silver medalists Jhon Canapi, Nickson Cabañero, Dustin Bathan, Roi Balague, and Miguel Jubilado will represent the younger Tiger Cubs.
The Season 87 tournament will tip off Monday, April 28, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
