The UST Growling Tigers in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) exited the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament after being dealt with a 78-69 defeat by the University of the Philippines (UP) in the Final 4.
The Growling Tigers lost steam in the second half after holding a 35-33 lead at halftime of their Final 4 clash, and playing a huge role in this loss was the stellar performance of Harold Alarcon who tallied 14 of his total 16 markers in the same span.
“We give credit to UP, great game,” lauded the UST head coach after the contest on Saturday. “We missed free throws, we gave [UP] second chances, tapos si Alarcon pumutok pa, so let’s give it to UP. “
READ: Alarcon waxes hot in the second half as UP makes Finals return at UST’s expense
The España-based institution showed signs of inexperience especially in the last two quarters, with UST, at one point being on the receiving end of a 21-4 Fighting Maroons run.
Jarencio acknowledged this, but he believes that it was simply growing pains for his Growling Tigers.
“Charge to experience ‘to. Sa totoo lang, wala pang nakapag laro before ng Final 4 sa team na ‘to except kay Forthsky [Padrigao] lang. Bago sa kanila yan,” he said.
UST Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.“Pero namang [kaba]. Actually, maganda yung practices namin this past week, sharp kami. Natutuwa rin ako na lumaban naman yung mga bata. Ang importante, maayos naman yung laro nila.”
“So siguro, ire-ready lang namin yung players namin for next year. Mas matibay na tayo next year kasi may mga recruit na kami. Ma-apply lang namin yung [experience] sa team namin, magiging natural na lahat sa players ko yan,” Jarencio continued.
UST ended the year with a total of seven wins and eight losses including the Final 4, a far cry from their records in Seasons 84, 85, and 86 wherein they finished with a total of six wins in 42 games.
That is why for Coach Pido, the Tigers’ overall showing in Season 87 is a significant sign of growth for their program.
“Oo naman, [right on track]. ‘Di naman lahat instant eh, especially ngayong era ng basketball. Lahat talaga nagde-develop, at yung level ng competition, tumataas,” he said. “So basta kami, maging consistent lang kami. Tignan natin next year kung paano kami babawi.”
Only three players, namely Chase Lane, Migs Pangilinan, and Christian Manaytay will graduate from UST this season, and this brings optimism for Jarecnio
“Forthsky, Nic [Cabañero], at Kyle Paranada andiyan pa, so tignan natin, intact pa naman yung team,” added Coach Pido.
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