Having transformed the Tigresses into a defensive team, coach Chris Cantonjos will now bank on their offensive firepower especially with the inclusion of Palarong Pambansa standouts.
The Tigresses are seeking to improve their third-place finish last UAAP season with improved offensive and defensive sets. Much is also expected of rookies Josele Jumawan, Melchar Jerez, Demi Villanueva, and Shanda Anies.
“I want them to play hard every time and to treat every game as though it’s the championship—no let-ups,” Cantonjos said.
The Tigresses will be without last year’s dependable cagebelles Paula Bombeo, Christy Silva, and Rina Laud who have all exhausted their playing years.
Whether Juvelyn Andaya and Mary Galicia, who are now members of the national team, would play for UST remains uncertain.
“I talked to coach Heidi [Ong] and asked if they could lend us the players even during morning practices. We just want a give-and-take set-up,” Cantonjos told the Varsitarian.
“Everyone has to step up, I told them. All of them have to lead and there should not be only an individual leader within the team but they all have to contribute,” he added.
Cantonjos sees no serious roadblock in UST’s upcoming UAAP campaign, noting that the Tigresses had twice beaten Far Eastern University and a formidable De La Salle University line-up in an off-season tournament.
“So there’s really no threat. All teams are equal,” he said in Filipino.
To develop their physical conditioning, the Tigresses conduct regular sessions at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, with tune-up games against the Tiger Cubs Team B and men’s teams from other schools.
