THE LAST time UST hosted the UAAP nine years ago, it medalled in 23 out of 28 events—nine golds, seven silvers and a bronze. Not to mention, capturing the general championship.
But it was a season also remembered for its defeats: the Growling Tigers lost the men’s basketball title, the women’s volleyball team and the Salinggawi Dance Troupe their respective crowns as well.
“It’s very memorable at the same time forgettable because of its impact on the community,” recalled Anthony Divinagracia, a former Varsitarian sports writer and later editor.
Bumpy ride
The Growling Tigers’ title defense suffered a blow before it could even start when a week before the tournament they lost reigning Finals MVP Jojo Duncil over a controversy surrounding his age. Duncil later opted to turn pro.
Since then, it’s been a bumpy ride for UST, which hosts this year’s UAAP Season 79.
After the record-setting 333 total points in Season 71, UST fell short of a 16th straight general title to De La Salle University in Season 75.
UST reclaimed the title in Season 77, thanks to the late-season heroics of the Tiger Softbelles which gave the University a slim three-point lead over rivals La Salle.
New hope
But the triumphs were short-lived. Last season, the Archers secured the crown by two points, 282-280, after the Lady Archers defeated the Lady Eagles in the women’s volleyball tournament.
UST’s UAAP hosting might just be what it needs to revitalize its competitiveness.
While other universities are arguably spending more to bolster their teams, UST prefers to develop its own talents, Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. said in a previous interview.
‘Amateurism’
“Our sports programs are still okay, because we have a different strategy, and other universities have different strategies,” he said. “For example, we have a complete setup, because that’s our advocacy—‘Olympianism’ and ‘amateurism.’ We have a complete program, we engage in all sports programs of the UAAP.”
For Kinjho Sueko, UAAP Season 78 gold medalist and Lady Judoka captain, UST embodies the mantra “where champions in life are born.”
“‘Di kami nagre-recruit ng magaling. Kami ang gumagawa ng magagaling. Open lagi [kami] sa mga willing matuto,” Sueko said.
