FOUR years in the University and I still have yet to experience a taste of the UST Growling Tigers fever. The pride of being a Thomasian with your school’s varsity team playing all out in the championship game in the country’s number one collegiate league is now a far-fetched reality.
Looking back two years ago, I now painfully regret the time when I was not able to watch the game three of the finals against the Green Archers. Now, I have accepted the excruciating truth that UST during my stay never won any championship.
Call me pessimistic, cynical or anything but truth must be accepted no matter how hard it is.
Last season, I became a Varsitarian staffer and became one of the privileged few to go into the Sports Section. I was even more blessed when I was assigned to do the primer on the men’s basketball team. Like the idealistic lad, I came excited, as the Tigers were the favorites, coming from a runner-up finish the year, before and still having all the “big time” players intact. The rest was history as the highly-fancied Tigers became the biggest disappointment of the year struggling through out the tournament and eventually yielding to the mighty Archers. Underachievers, the Tigers only had themselves to blame as they let a golden opportunity pass them by. Playing lethargic though out the season, they let their prima donna attitude and celebrity complex dug them too deep into their own grave.
For the record, I’am not pessimistic, only realistic.
The Tigers, two years ago, went devastating in the league with a 10-straight elimination round victories, considering they were composed mostly of rookies and sophomores and labeled underdogs against the powerhouse teams of La Salle, Ateneo and the Paolo Mendoza-led UP. Underdogs, the Tigers siege into the finals but fell short after facing the hyped-up Archers team.
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Two of the most popular leagues in the country witnessed a siege by their own version of underdogs in their championship games. In the PBA, the whole country cheered on as Ginebra rose from seemingly losing situations and pulled off upsets.
Who could forget the all-guts play of Vergel Meneses against the touted-Purefoods or the game-winning “Hail Mary” shot of Ronald Magtulis in the win over Shell?
The Gin Kings stood their ground against the mighty San Miguel troops but the Beermen’s destiny prevailed.
In the NBA, the feisty Philadelpia Sixers team was all-heart and 100 percent guts as they clawed their way into the game’s biggest show despite a barely hospitalized line-up.
Now, if the Tigers this season would have at least a slice of the Barangay Ginebra’s never-say-die attitude or, at to the very least a shadow of the heart and guts of the Sixers, then UST might have a fighting chance. But, then again, there are no indications that they have even an idea, of what I am talking about.
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Now, I will play a lawyer and prosecute the Tigers to prove my case.
What were left of this year’s Tigers are only ruins of last year’s supposed-to-be powerful cast. Gone are key big men. Marvin Ortiguerra delivered a lackluster performance the last time and his apparent disinterestedness is not serving him well in the Big League. Hot-tempered Melchor Latoreno’s hustle plays will be missed. Alwin Espiritu’ will still be around but he is recovering from an injury.
The go-to-guys will be Derrick Hubalde, Emmerson Oreta, and Nino Gelig. Cyrus Baguio’s participation is still in question as word have that it that he has not enrolled. God forbid its true, Baguio was the only bright spot in the Tigers last year.
Hubalde has a promising future ahead of him, but it seems he has not yet exploited his lethal potential as he has often taken ill-advised shots. In fairness to the shooter, it’s coach Aric Del Rosario’s shortcoming since he has not devised any set-up plays for Hubalde. Oreta, in the same line, is a known hotshot, even when he was in the amateur ranks. But he also has a dreaded illness when it comes to shot selection.
Gelig should go back to what he does best, and that is in the defensive end. Though he could also be a lethal offensive weapon, Gelig just might recover from his slump last season if he went back to defense.
Espiritu’s showing this season could spell very well the future for the team. If he performs like last year, then with a little help and some blue-collar effort from his teammates, there may just be a chance.
After all, the Tigers are underdogs and only slim chances and opportunities are needed by underdogs. Though I have accepted my fate of not seeing another UST championship game, I still have my fingers crossed.
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Last summer I was still hoping that there would be light at the end of the tunnel for the Tigers. But after forgettable performances in the Fr. Martin’s Cup and Ambrosio Padilla Cup, I was convinced that the Tigers have no intention of winning. Theirs is mere fancy determination. With the way they’re playing, they can’t stand a chance against vastly empowered UAAP contenders.
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Mr. Spitfire does not intend to downgrade the morale of the team. He is only expressing the sentiments of the whole Thomasian community that is dead hungry for a championship title. Last decade’s “four-peat feat” is now in jeopardy as the Archers are bent on equaling the achievement. Not only the pride of the Growling Tigers at stake, but of the whole University as well.
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Almost all of the good things in my life came by accident. As a hesitant neophyte last year in the V, I never imagined I would go this far. Surprises have never been my cup of tea but since I am already here, I would be forced to give my damn best and guard the interest of the Thomasian community. So, here I come, beware, because you haven’t seen anything yet.
