WITH a new head coach leading the charge for the Tigresses, will a miracle come along to convert their Season 71’s penitential third-place finish into a championship title?
Coach Julie Amos speaks in practical terms, focusing how a new system can potentially send the squad to a title finish this year.
“Since I just started as a new coach, we are on a transition and are still working on the new training,” she said.
Amos highlighted the importance of a deep bench, especially for a running team such as the Tigresses. Lack of supporting players that can step up was a problem for the team in the past.
“We are extending the bench so that if the top five players get exhausted, we still have many reserve players (that can) play,” she said.
She said she was excited to coach the team because the players were responding well to her system and new teammates.
Despite the exodus of old reliables Remigia Buenacosa, JR Gregorio, and Season 71 MVP Marichu Bacaro, UST still have veterans Paula Jean Bombeo, Dominique Ann Leonardo, Katrina Gail Fermin, Mikko Obrador, and Mary Silva.
The Tigresses’ are also expected to get steady contributions from three-time UAAP scoring leader Rina Mary Laud and sophomores Lora Dela Cruz, Rizzie Gale and Lore Rivera.
Newcomer Mary Galicia, a high leaper with impressive athleticism, is a welcome addition to the team, and so are sweet-shooting Marian Stephanie Mejia, branded as a “petite but fearless” newbie, is also anticipated to play big this season, and Cebuana slasher Juvelyn Andaya.
“We have six rookies this year, and I really need the leadership from veterans,” Amos said.
Last year’s fall
The twice-to-beat Tigresses missed the chance to meet Far Eastern University in last year’s finals, after succumbing to the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the Final Four. They had to settle for third for the second year in a row.
“We were the only team who defeated the Lady Tamaraws last season, and we could really have a (good) chance of claiming the Season 71 championship if we got into the finals,” Amos said.
Despite a rookie-laden roster, the Tigresses finished second to the De la Salle Lady Archers in the Metroball championship finals last April.
But the absence of mainstays denied them title repeat in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) meet during the same month.
