WITH 21 seconds left, UST team captain Jeric Fortuna banked a three-pointer to give the Growling Tigers a ray of hope. He took his chances in the next possession, but missed another three that would have tied the game.
And so the Ateneo Blue Eagles went on to win a historic five straight championship, sweeping the Tigers in three games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Oct. 11.
But there was glory in defeat for the 5’7” Fortuna, who was playing his final year with the tigers. The smallest Tiger on the floor played with the biggest heart for UST.
After a relatively quiet performance in Game 1, Fortuna almost single-handedly carried the Tigers in the face of Ateneo’s relentless offense and stifling defense. He exploded for 20 points, on top of eight rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block. In short, he did it all.
“Ayaw ko magpatalo, gusto ko umalis ng UST ng may championship trophy,” said Fortuna, who averaged only 8.4 points per game in the elimination round.
A championship might be a fitting send-off for him and Melo Afuang, who was also in his final year with the Tigers. But Fortuna, a two-time team captain, had no regrets.
“Hindi talaga siguro para sa amin [ang championship]. But at least we gave Ateneo a good fight,” he said.
The Growling Tigers failed to duplicate their 2006 Cinderella run and bowed down to Ateneo, 62-65. Gunslinger Jeric Teng chipped in with nine points, while Kim Lo and Karim Abdul added eight markers apiece for the Tigers.
Kiefer Ravena, who delivered a dagger jumper at crunch time, finished with 22 points for Ateneo.
Brighter future
Despite the defeat, the Tigers served notice that it would be the team to beat next season. Save for the departure of Fortuna and Afuang, the roster would remain intact. In contrast, Ateneo will no longer have the seven-foot Greg Slaughter, back-to-back finals MVP Nico Salva, and other key players.
“Nagkaroon na kami ng championship experience kaya titibay pa kami lalo,” coach Pido Jarencio said.
Box scores:
UST 62 – Fortuna 20, Teng 9, Lo 8, Abdul 8, Ferrer 7, Bautista 6, Mariano 4, Vigil 0, Pe 0, Afuang 0.
Ateneo 65 – Ravena 22, Slaughter 15, Tiongson 10, Salva 8, Chua 6, Gonzaga 3, Sumalinog 1, Glla 0, Elorde 0, Buenafe 0.
Quarter scores: 14-13, 29-29, 46-47, 62-65
