IN A SEASON where they had been written off before it could even begin, the Growling Tigers exceeded expectations, barged into the UAAP Final Four, and gave the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles a big scare.
But in the end, UST, which is celebrating its Quadricentennial anniversary, succumbed to a better team and was good only for fourth place.
The Tigers fought tooth-and-nail before the mighty Blue Eagles escaped with a 66-69 win in their semifinal match at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Sept. 15.
Despite the loss, coach Pido Jarencio saw positive things with the way his wards matched up against the Blue Eagles, who were to meet the FEU Tamaraws in a rematch of last season’s Finals.
Jarencio witnessed the Tigers’ big fighting heart, which, coupled with steady three-point shooting, allowed them to claw back into the game in the final quarter.
“We took this defeat positively,” he said in Filipino. “The kids showed what they’re made of because they played with a big heart…I believe in them. I know we can do better than just entering the Final Four.”
The Tigers’ fourth-place finish was a marked improvement from last season where they ended up at seventh, besting only perennial cellar-dweller University of the Philippines.
Rally
Just when the Blue Eagles appeared to be cruising to another victory over UST, the Tigers unleashed consecutive three-pointers to trim the lead to one, 67-66, with less than a minute left in the game.
Nico Salva then sank two free throws to give Ateneo a precarious three-point lead. UST team captain Jeric Fortuna had a chance to tie the game, but missed in his three-point attempt.
Cameroonian Karim Abdul returned from a one-game suspension and led the Tigers with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Chris Camus was three of four from beyond the arc and finished with 13 points. Rookiesensation Kevin Ferrer contributed eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter before fouling out.
Bulldogs gore Tigers
The Tigers had a chance to nail a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis, but bowed down to the National University Bulldogs, 46-79, in a lackluster performance last Sept. 11.
UST played without Abdul, who was suspended after committing two unsportsmanlike fouls, and Carmelo Afuang, who was recovering from a gall bladder surgery. Jeric Teng led the Tigers with 19 points, 11 of which came in the second half where they reduced NU’s lead to two.
The loss snapped the Tigers’ four-game winning streak. UST earlier clobbered the Adamson University Falcons, 74-58, and repulsed FEU, 77-73. The Tigers also beat the De La Salle Green Archers and the University of the East Red Warriors.
