After years of rebuilding, the UST Growling Tigers aim for a Final Four berth in UAAP Season 87, with key additions like Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, and Amiel Acido boosting their chances.
Is the wait finally over for the University of Santo Tomas?
After making it to the finals of UAAP Season 82, the Growling Tigers have missed out on a Final Four appearance ever since.
After years and years of rebuilding, the España-based squad is finally looking to revive its championship aspirations and awaken the roaring UST community.
Head coach: Pido Jarencio
Team captains: Nic Cabanero, Christian Manaytay
Key Additions: Amiel Acido, Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, Zain Mahmood, Chase Lane, Mo Tounkara
Key losses: Adama Faye, Ivan Lazarte, Paul Manalang, Kenji Duremdes, SJ Moore
Season 86 record: 2-12 (8th)
In Season 87, several prized transferees, including star point guards Forthsky Padrigao and Kyle Paranada, will finally make their debut for the Growling Tigers.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: UST Growling Tigers add big men Zain Mahmood, Brix Verzosa]
Paranada, in particular, is eager to help UST after their poor finishes over the past few seasons.
The 5-foot-9 guard was instrumental for the UE Red Warriors, averaging 11.64 points, 2.86 rebounds, 4.21 assists, and 1.64 steals in his sophomore year.
“I'm super eager to play. I had to sit out one full year, so to sit out was kind of depressing. Just watching all of them play last season, when I had to sit out, so I'm super eager to play this season,” Paranada told One Sports.
Meanwhile, Padrigao, who was the MVP runner-up in Season 86, is relishing the fresh start given to him with the Golden Tigers.
In his final year with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the 5-foot-11 guard averaged 11 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
“I have the opportunity to play basketball again and UST has given me the opportunity to play and masaya and thankful talaga ako na makakalaro na ulit ako,” said Padrigao.
[ALSO READ: Tab Baldwin throws undying support to Forthsky Padrigao, reveals sad reason behind cager's Ateneo departure]
In addition to the transferees, UST also managed to secure prized high school player and reigning NCAA Juniors MVP Amiel Acido of the Perpetual Junior Altas.
In his senior year, Acido averaged 17.33 points, 8.75 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.08 steals, en route to his MVP season.
“I'm very excited to play for UST. It's been my dream since I was a kid na makapaglaro sa UAAP. I'm very excited, I'm very hungry to win and maipakita ko 'yung talent ko,” said Acido.
With all these talents finally at Pido Jarencio’s disposal, a Final Four berth looks very likely for the hungry and ever-ready Growling Tigers.
“We know this UAAP Season na competitive talaga. With all the teams, with all the recruits, mas mataas 'yung competition sa UAAP ngayon. So for us, ‘yun ‘yung pagtatrabahuhan namin,” said Padriago.
“‘Yung Final Four and finals eventually. Pero we will start from one game at a time with the first game muna, then we will start from there,” he added.
[NEXT: Wild ones: Nic Cabañero, retooled UST ready to roar back to relevance in UAAP Season 87]