Tag: No. 1

THE UST Tigresses missed crucial free throws down the stretch and bowed to the defending champion De La Salle University, 50-56, in their first game in the UAAP women’s basketball tournament last July 13.

UST’s Grace Brillantes missed four straight freethrows late in the fourth quarter with her squad trailing by 11 point.

“We still had our opening jitters. We had flaws on both ends but the bottom line is, our free throws cost us the game, especially the free throws in the last minute,” Tigresses head coach Chris Cantonjos said in Filipino.

The Lady Archers erected an 11-point lead in the fourth frame, 52-41, after Trisha Piatos erupted for eight straight points, including two three-pointers.

TURNING a setback into a comeback.

Louie Vigil, the former National Collegiate Athletics Association Juniors Most Valuable Player, is set to make a comeback to the Growling Tigers lineup with a vengeance after missing last season due to academic deficiencies.

The Cainta-native admitted that it was excruciating watching the injury-stricken team struggle to make it to the finals last season before losing to the De La Salle Green Archers in three games.

“It was painful. I wanted to help the team especially when they were suffering in the first round,” the former Jose Rizal Light Bomber said. “I was very frustrated because during the time they needed me, I was not there.”

Rica Jane Rivera and Cherry Ann Rondina, both standouts from the 2014 Palarong Pambansa in Laguna, will suit up for UST, replacing Pam Lastimosa and Maru Banaticla.

Though both rookies, Rivera and Rondina already have the confidence of veterans as they enter the collegiate beach volleyball scene.

“What we will make them [opponents] feel during the game is that they are playing against veterans,” the 16-year-old Rivera said.

The newest duo for the Golden Tigresses are banking on their experience in the Philippine National Games (PNG) where they earned a silver medal last May 24.

UAAP 77 officially kicked off last July 12, featuring an astronomy-inspired opening ceremony led by University of the East (UE), this season’s host at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

With the theme “Unity in Excellence,” eight planet-like spheres were shown hanging above the rafters representing each member university as one united universe.

In her opening speech, UE President Esther Albano Garcia encouraged participating schools to remain united despite the high level of competition. She said victory was best celebrated together.

Fr. Ermito De Sagon, O.P., director of the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, agreed saying unity did not necessarily mean that the quality of games should diminish.

WITH the departure of star playmaker Jeric Fortuna and veteran slotman Carmelo Afuang, can the Growling Tigers improve on their runner-up finish and secure the title in the new UAAP season?

The España-based squad, which finished last season with a 10-4 win-loss record, will gun for the championship this year under the leadership of team captain Jeric Teng. Returning guards Edcor Marata and Jamil Sheriff will try to fill in the hole left by Fortuna, while Kent Lao will help fortify the Tigers' front court.

“Ed Daquioag, Clark Bautista, Marata, Sheriff and Robin Tanare responding well. They have gained experience and are more mature in decision-making,” coach Pido Jarencio said.

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.

WITH a renewed focus on defense, the UST Growling Tigers are gearing up for another edition of UAAP wars, banking on the services of two big men and an athletic wingman to boost an already veteran core in hopes of finally capturing the elusive basketball crown.

Name: Jeepy Faundo
Age: 17
Height: 6’6’’
High School: Jose Rizal University
Basketball Icon: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

The stalwart from JRU will bring height and athleticism, providing front-court depth to back reliables Karim Abdul, Paolo Pe and Robert Hainga.

Faundo will aim to utilize his 6’6’’ frame to scramble for rebounds, play tough defense and stretch the floor when opposing teams collapse on Abdul.

THE UST Growling Tigers faltered late in the fourth quarter and fell short against three-time NCAA defending champion San Beda College, 70-74, in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan last June 12.

Despite the 27 -point explosion of team captain Jeric Teng, the Tigers settled for fourth place, their highest finish since the off-season tournament’s inception in 2006.

Hotshot Clark Bautista drained a crucial three-pointer that put UST within two, 70-72, with 12.4 ticks left in the game.

But big man Arthur Dela Cruz sank both of his free throws after being fouled by Aljon Mariano in the ensuing play to give San Beda the third spot, an improvement from its fourth-place finish last year.