A SOLID Tigresses lineup will return this season as they look to bounce back from their dismal sixth-place finish last year.
After his wards landed third in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, coach Chris Cantonjos is confident of his team’s chances in the UAAP this year.
“You can definitely see their unwavering desire to win every game. There will be no graduates. They have matured and it shows in their performance,” he said of the Tigresses, who finished the off-season tournament with a 4-2 win-loss slate.
Team captain Marian Mejia said teamwork and camaraderie would be key if the Tigresses were to enter the Final Four.
“We support each other. We no longer blame [each other] for our mistakes as it would affect our morale,” she said. “At the end of the day, kami pa rin ang magkakasama.”
With rookies Felisarta and Marielle Isanan reinforcing the veteran players this year, Mejia sees no problem with them blending in as both came from Team B.
“I think they would easily gel with the rest of us and would be of great help in the overall performance of the team,” she said.
While she is expected to lead the Tigresses, Mejia said that she doesn’t see herself or anyone else in the team as the “star player” as everyone will need to step up their game.
Despite having a tried-and-tested lineup, Cantonjos admitted his wards still needed polishing in some areas.
“Our ball handlers need more practice since they easily give up turnovers when pressured. Our defensive breaks are also easily read,” he said.
Far Eastern University and De La Salle University are still considered the teams to beat, but Cantonjos maintained that the Tigresses’ “will to win” would also be a major factor.
“They were the only teams that beat us in the off-season, but I told my wards that if they are to give their best and will themselves to victory, it would be possible for us to make it (to the Final Four),” he said.
