DESPITE the UST Growling Tigers’ disappointing exit in
the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, the emergence of Ed Daquioag as a leader
and capable scorer is a bright spot that the Tigers can look forward to in the
upcoming UAAP season.
With UST missing the services of Renzo Subido and Karim
Abdul due to various medical concerns, and Kevin Ferrer to commitment to the
national team, Daquioag carried the Tigers on his back and has been a near
unstoppable force on the offensive end, averaging 20.38 points per game in
eight outings.
The Tigers narrowly missed the quarterfinals after losing
to rival La Salle, 82-84, in their last outing after a fumble in the inbound
play with a few seconds left.
Prior to the inbound mishap, Daquioag capped a late UST
run with a booming triple to even the score in the dying seconds.
Now considering himself as one of the leaders with the
departure of former captain Aljon Mariano, Daquioag has already embraced the
primary role to lead the charge alongside Ferrer and Abdul.
“Ngayon, walang
Kevin Ferrer, walang Karim Abdul, sino pa bang mag-step up kung hindi ako na lang. Ako ang magle-lead
sa team na ‘to, kailangan ko mag-take over as of now. Sa UAAP, titignan natin kung paano yung gagawin nila
(coaching staff),” Daquioag said.
Throughout the pre-season tournament, Daquioag
consistently gave the Tigers a much-needed lift on offense including a 34-point
explosion against the Centro Escolar University last May 24.
The fifth-year player vowed to remain healthy and is now
ready to play on a higher level for Season 78 after starting his Season 77
stint for the Tigers with a microfracture on his left ankle.
“Sabi sa amin ni
coach, ito na yung team niyo, kailangan mag-set kayo ng good example sa team niyo. ‘Yung tiwala na ‘yun,
mahirap pakawalan. Kumbaga ito na yung team ko at masasabi ko na star na
din ako ng team na to. Inaangkin ko
na ‘yun, minsan lang dumating sa buhay natin yan,” he said.
Meanwhile, UST head coach Bong dela Cruz lauded
Daquioag’s performance and said that this is the kind of player he was
expecting when he took the helm last year.
“Hindi na ako
nagtataka na mataas yung confidence niya
ngayon at mataas yung pinupuntos niya. Kailangan natin ng somebody na mag-create, na titignan ng depensa at nitong preseason, itong Ed Daquioag ang gusto
ko makita na di ko nakita [last year] because of injuries,” Dela Cruz said.
