MEMBERS of the 1996 UST champion team came together and took on the 2006 titlists in an exhibition game in the inaugural Tigers Basketball League at the Buddhacare Gym in Quezon City last Feb. 16.
Almost 20 years since completing the Growling Tigers’ historic “four-peat” UAAP conquest in the 1990s, the 1996 team, led by coach Aric Del Rosario, held off a late rally by the 2006 squad to fashion out a 99-97 victory.
The ’96 cagers didn’t allow age to slow them down as they built a commanding 15-point cushion, 96-81, after former UAAP MVP and current Tigresses head coach Chris Cantojos converted a jumper with less than five minutes remaining.
But the resilient ’06 champs relied on youth for one last push, a 10-1 run behind wingmen Christian Luanzon and Carlos Fenequito. A layup by 2009 UAAP MVP and former Smart Gilas standout Dylan Ababou cut the lead to six, 91-97, with a little over two minutes left.
They came up short, however, as former starting guard Joel Villanueva, now the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority head, calmly sank two free throws in the waning moments of the game to give the ’96 Tigers enough breathing room. Luanzon and Paul Ryan Tan converted back-to-back treys for the final tally.
“Sobrang masaya lalo na nung nalaman kong magkakaroon ng ganito,” said Del Rosario, who steered UST to the rare “four-peat,” including a season sweep in 1993.
“Masaya ako na nakita ko ulit yung mga players ko. Ganun pa rin yung samahan namin tulad ng dati noong nag-uumpisa palang kami sa UST wala namang nagbago, walang mayabang, very humble lahat,” he added.
Villanueva, who is also the Tigers Alumni Association president, said it was a “priceless and unique” experience that was also a chance for them “to bond as one.”
“It’s very encouraging and heartwarming to see basketball players coming from our alma mater together and boosting our camaraderie as one,” he said.
“I will not trade it [for anything]. There is something unique and different when you say you are coming from UST, a team with so much pride to offer.”
Former Ginebra guard Bal David, one of the pillars of the 1994 UST champion team, said it was an honor to play again with some of his former teammates and for Del Rosario.
“Malaking karangalan talaga lalo na makasama mo ulit si coach Aric, syempre namimiss din namin. Basta nagpatawag sila, maglalaro kami,” he said.
Gerard Francisco, who applied to become the next Tigers’ head coach, said he was pleased with how former players “support and regularly check on the current team.”
The ’96 Tigers got off to a hot start behind Villanueva, Cantonjos and former PBA center Richard Yee for a 26-18 edge after the first frame and a 49-39 advantage at the half.
But the 2006 Tigers opened the third quarter with a 13-4 spurt to close in, 52-53, behind Ababou, Fenequito and point guard Japs Cuan, who consistently attacked the defense of the older Tigers.
The ’96 Tigers answered with a 15-2 run of their own to keep the ’06 squad at bay and enter the fourth quarter with a 70-62 lead.
Other former UST stars in attendance were Patrick Fran, Rain or Shine’s Jervy Cruz and Chris Camus.
