NUMBERS don’t lie.
What went wrong with the UST Growling Tigers this season boiled down to inconsistency and shaky offense, as shown by data from Imperium, UAAP’s official statistics company.
In half of their 14 games, the Growling Tigers performed poorly in the first three quarters before getting their rhythm in the final period. They had four games where they collapsed in the end after an aggressive start.
The Tigers also slumped in offense as they only made a total of 309 field goals to rank seventh in the league. They also placed sixth in field goal percentage, shooting only an average of 35.7 percent.
To put their offensive struggles in perspective, they averaged only 62.4 points per game and their 77 points in the win against the University of the Philippines in the second round was their season high.
To make matters worse, they averaged only 39.2 rebounds per game for seventh place and although they led the UAAP with 86 steals, they never fully took advantage as they only managed 6.1 fastbreak points per game (seventh place).
Slow starts and closing out games
Perhaps the biggest problem the team faced this season was giving up leads and falling into slow starts.
UST could have built some much needed momentum in the first round if not for a last-second collapse against the Ateneo de Manila University.
The same scenario happened in their games against the De La Salle University (first and second round) and in their second round showdowns with Ateneo, National University and University of the East.
In the five games they won, the Tigers averaged 66 points per game (PPG) and had a point differential of 6.6 points. However, in their nine losses, UST only managed 60.3 PPG and allowed their opponents to score 70.2 PPG.
Ironically, the Tigers shot better when they were losing, connecting on 42.2 percent of their field goal attempts as opposed to 36.2 percent when winning. The team, though, had a consistent number of turnovers, whether winning or losing, with 18 turnovers a game.
Dipping numbers
One of the many reasons for UST’s downfall this season was the failure of Aljon Mariano to adequately fill the hole left by Jeric Teng.
Mariano chipped in 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting a respectable 43.0 percent from the field in Season 76. However, this year, his numbers slightly dipped as he tallied 11 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting only 34.1 percent.
The sudden fall of Mariano’s production from Season 76 to 77 was magnified when Kevin Ferrer missed games late in the season due to injury.
Bright spots
Amid the heartbreak of missing the Final Four for the first time in four years, Mythical Five member Karim Abdul remained as one of the bright spots for the team.
The Cameroonian center almost averaged a double-double as he finished the season with 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, including a monster 24-point and 16-rebound performance against FEU in the second round which resulted in a loss.
Abdul was also most efficient Tiger with a player efficiency rating of 26.7 percent. Surprisingly, reserve center Jeepy Faundo was ranked second in the Tigers’ efficiency rating with 16.2 percent followed by Louie Vigil (15.9).
Swingman Kevin Ferrer, who averaged 9.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, was also badly missed by UST in the second round.
In eight games where Ferrer saw action, the Tigers held their opponents to only 63.6 points per game and allowed 70 PPG in the six games that he was out.
“Kevin is a vocal leader, he really talks to players and I wish that he continues being a vocal leader for him to get the trust and respect of the team,” said Tigers head coach Bong dela Cruz about Ferrer possibly taking over for the team next season.
As the Tigers missed the playoffs after two straight trips to the finals, their lackluster numbers speak for themselves.
However, improvements from Louie Vigil, Kent Lao and rookies Renzo Subido and Regie Boy Basibas are some of the little victories UST can take into the next season.
“Everybody needs to step up. There is no superstar in the team next season so everybody needs to step up. We are looking for more competition and we plan to join leagues to hone the playing style of the team and to develop our coaching as well,” dela Cruz said. Karl Cedrick G. Basco and Delfin Ray M. Dioquino
