It was UST’s first win since last season.
UST Growling Tigers coach Pido Jarencio walked towards his FEU Tamaraws counterpart Denok Miranda with his trademark Cheshire Cat smile. They shook hands and exchanged a few words before Jarencio returned to the bench.
The palpable joy was understandable. After all, UST just survived FEU, 68-62, to end the opening round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on a high note on Sunday.
The Growling Tigers finally picked up their first win of the season and broke a 19-game dry spell. The last time they won prior to the victory of the Tamaraws was October 1, 2022, when the Bal David-led UST beat the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the Season 85 opener.
At the center of the much-needed victory over FEU was Nic Cabañero, who finished with 23 points, including the free throw that sealed the deal to go with five rebounds and two assists.
Through all adversities, Cabañero said they simply followed the game plan drawn by Jarencio, who returned to the UST program this season after a decade.
“Nag-trust lang kami sa system nila Coach Pido,” Cabañero said shortly after the game at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The undisputed UST leader refused to head into the second round with another loss to their name.
“I was shouting at my teammates (during halftime when we were leading) kasi gusto ko manalo,” Cabañero said. “Crucial ‘yung panalo para 'pag dating ng second round, dala namin ‘yung confidence namin. Sana marami pang panalo darating sa’min.”
Jarencio, ever the jokester, quipped before the season that their goal is only to win one game.
UST is still in last place at 1-6, while FEU is second to the last at 2-5.
(PM)