THE UST Growling Tigers and De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers renew their historic rivalry on the hard court. Both are owners of “four-peat” records in the past two decades. UST accomplished this from 1994 to 1997 while the Archers are now looking for their fifth straight basketball plum. With the roles reversed, the Growling Tigers would want nothing more than to stop De La Salle from completing a record-breaking “five-bulous” quest.
The drive for five
With a twice to beat advantage over UST, the Archers are definitely the hands-down favorites to win this contest.
After losing hotshot Ren-Ren Ritualo last year due to graduation, many expected DLSU’s performance to dwindle. Luckily for De La Salle, somebody assumed leadership over the Archers.
With Mike “the Cool Cat” Cortez in tow, De La Salle almost duplicated UST’s fabled season sweep.
However, in their final game, De La Salle lost to arch-nemesis Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles, 76-63, thereby foiling the Archers’ attempt at history.
Despite the heart-breaking loss, De La Salle still took top spot and psychological advantage over the Tigers, whom they barely beat in their two previous meetings.
The Archers will again be led by Cortez, whose 14.6 points per game average is eighth in the league, and 2001 Rookie of the Year Mark Cardona’s, DLSU’s top scorer with 15.6 ppg.
Cortez leads the league in assists with 7.8 per game and is a vital cog in the Archers’ offensive machine.
In the Ateneo-De La Salle tussle, Cortez dished out a sterling performance. But it was not enough to help his team after the Eagles erected a 20-point margin, 73-53, after a dunk by reigning Most Valuable Player Richard Alvarez.
Cortez finished with 17 points, eight assists, six steals, and three rebounds. Cardona top-scored anew for De La Salle with 18.
Undoubtedly, De La Salle could easily outscore the Tigers. The defending champions lead the league in points scored with 81.5 and unless stopped, UST’s four-peat record will be overshadowed.
Back with a vengeance
If there is something that the Growling Tigers should be proud of this season, it would be their finishing the eliminations with an 8-6 win-loss record and a return trip to the Final Four.
The UST Growling Tigers could have easily finished second with a twice-to-beat advantage if not for their endgame collapses. Instead, they have the uneviable task of beating this season’s top team twice.
A perfect example is their second round match against the Green Archers where they wasted a 20-point advantage in the fourth quarter and allowed DLSU to come back and win the game.
Likewise, the Growling Tigers need patience in their game. In that meeting with the Archers, UST kept forcing its shots. On the other hand, De La Salle, displaying championship poise, stuck to their game plan to the letter. In the end, the Archers managed to etch out a two-point overtime victory.
But one good thing about the Tigers is its abundance of offensive options. Though Cyrus Baguio is the team’s ace scorer, other Tigers can step up and light up the scoreboard.
Jemal Vizcarra and Alwyn Espiritu have put up impressive numbers for the Tigers. Vizcarra’s accuracy from the three-point area have provided UST with a constant perimeter threat while Espiritu’s inside plays have freed jump shooters like Baguio, Derrick Hubalde, and Niño Gelig.
Likewise, workhorse Warren De Guzman’s rebounding and hustle plays should result in more second chance points for UST.
But with big man Mark Nanninga out due to a slipped disc, the Tigers would have their hands full against the likes of De La Salle centers Manny Ramos, Adonis Sta. Maria, and Carlo Sharma when they meet the defending champions on Thursday.
Though lacking in big men, UST can bring down the Archers. All they need to do is to start playing with the ferocity of the Growling Tigers of old.
