WITH key Tigers returning from a one-year absence, the UST Growling Tigers are gunning for another Final Four run and eventually, another title.
Concluding with an 8-5 win-loss card and placing fourth in the last season, the Tigers will take another road to glory with a more seasoned squad bolstered by the return of Clark Bautista, Aljon Mariano, and Eduardo Daquioag.
“They were a big loss last year because all of them are dependable scorers. They could really boost the team in terms of offense and defense,” UST coach Pido Jarencio said.
Bautista was saddled by academic deficiencies last year, while Mariano and Daquioag were out because of injuries.
Mariano had an explosive comeback leading UST in scoring in seven of its nine outings in the recent Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup. He had a career-high 26 points against the University of the Philippines.
“I made adjustments especially because I was coming from a year of break, but I always had the mindset that I also needed to step up for my team,” Mariano said.
The Tigers finished with a 5-3 win-loss card to enter the quarterfinals, a far cry from their early exit last year with three wins and four losses.
Jarencio assured Thomasians of a grittier Tigers this season.
He said the squad should start strong so they could book an outright semi-finals ticket.
“We have the cohesion that we want and the balanced scoring from players,” Jarencio said.
“Ito na ang team na hinihintay kong mahinog, ito na talaga ‘yon.”
With the departure of Chris Camus due to age ineligibility, the triumvirate of team captain Jeric Fortuna, Jeric Teng, and Kevin Ferrer are expected to lead the Tigers.
Cameroonian big man Karim Abdul, Paulo Pe, and Kenneth Mamaril will still be major scoring options besides rebounding.
“Our main goal is to win every game. From there, we’ll see if we could get the first or second spot,” Jarencio said.
Jarencio is confident of his team’s chances despite threats posed by defending champion Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, and powerhouse National University.
“There’s no pressure on my side because I’m satisfied with my wards,” he said.
