WITH less than five minutes left to play in a game that had nothing exactly at stake, Japs Cuan went all out.
Cuan locked down on his defender, poked the ball loose, dove for it recklessly, and passed it to Jojo Duncil for a quick fastbreak layup.
The play was part of a spirited run that allowed the Tigers Alumni All-Star team to claw its way back from a 29-point deficit against the current Tigers squad. The play, more importantly, displayed vintage Thomasian basketball.
“We want to show them how to play with heart and never give up,” said Cuan, the starting point guard of the 2006 championship team. “They have to take certain pride when they wear their uniforms because they represent UST.”
Despite the comeback, the Alumni squad bowed down to the current Tigers team, 93-84, in their exhibition game at the Quadricentennial Pavilion last July 10.
Nevertheless, both squads realized that the game—more than victory—displayed that Tigers of any generation play with a lot of heart.
“We learned to never give up in any game and keep on fighting,” Tigers team captain Jeric Fortuna said. “This game feels good for us because we get a chance to see and play with our idols.”
The Alumni team was composed of players from the 2006 champion team such as Cuan, Duncil, Dylan Ababou, Jervy Cruz, Francis Allera, and Mark Canlas. They were joined by other PBA players Khasim Mirza, Niño Gelig, and Allein Maliksi. Completing the cast were four-time champions of the 90’s era like Patrick Fran, Richard Yee, Lester Del Rosario, and Joel Villanueva, now director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Legendary UST coach Aric Del Rosario, who called the shots for the alumni team, was impressed with the potential of the current Tigers team.
“The current squad has a lot of chance to barge into the Final Four and maybe even become champions,” he said. “They just have to improve their defense and continue playing team basketball.”
Down by as much as 29 midway in the third period, the Alumni squad refused to be pounded further and uncorked a 20-5 run behind the combined efforts of Air 21 Express’ Mirza, Barangay Ginebra Gin King Maliksi, and 2006 UAAP finals MVP Duncil. The surge was capped by a behind-the-back pass from Ababou to a blazing Cuan to reduce the gap to 10, 65-75, with 7:40 remaining in the fourth.
Coach Del Rosario then fielded the 2006 champion team line-up to improve their chances. With more cohesion and chemistry, the alumni team continued to trim the deficit as Ababou nailed a clutch three at the 3:27 mark to close within seven, 77-84.
Duncil split his free throws following a jumper from the baseline that cut the lead to four with 2:40 left, 80-84.
But with a chance for the Alumni to move to within two, Jervy Cruz blew an open layup. Kevin Ferrer was fouled behind the three-point line in the ensuing play and converted all three charities.
Ferrer later scored on a put-back off a Fortuna miss then followed it up with a two-handed jam that sealed the win for the UAAP team, 93-84.
“This game is a good moral boost for the team,” coach Pido Jarencio said. “The game aimed to further sharpen our team and it did just that.”
Returning Tiger Aljon Mariano led the current squad with 19 markers while Allein Maliksi, who wowed the crowd with his high-flying acts, topscored the Alumni team with 16.
