Tough stretch in UAAP Season 87 brings out the best in the UST Growling Tigers.
Just in the nick of time, the UST Growling Tigers have figured themselves out in the second round of UAAP Season 87.
After going through a tough stretch of losing three straight games—including a loss at their home court at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion—they finally barged back into the win column last weekend when they drubbed the FEU Tamaraws, 79-70.
A crucial victory that fanned their hopes of making it to the Final Four since UAAP Season 82, it also came with tough lessons to bring with them for the rest of the tournament.
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Being on the other end of the ire of UST head coach Pido Jarencio and their fans as well because of their struggles, Nic Cabañero and the Growling Tigers were forced to look within themselves and reassess their approach.
For Cabañero, personally, it was being able to understand how to realize their potential.
“Parang dun namin nakita yung discipline dapat ng team,” said Cabañero.
“We know na 'yun nga from what I’ve said earlier, you can win those games eh. So hindi naman nangyari, and I know that the other teams are trying to win also, to be in the final four. And dapat mas double pa yung effort namin,” he added.
The veteran scorer has been witness to UST’s struggles since Season 84, not having enjoyed a winning record for the season since their finals appearance back in 2019.
But as they finally get into the groove with Jarencio’s system, Cabañero believes that it is high time that they finally get back into the fray.
With the right system and game plan already in place, there’s only one thing that the Growling Tigers need to be a winning program: their own effort.
Being among the leaders of the team, Cabañero will have to play the part of reminding everyone to give their all and do their part in listening to the coaches.
“Di naman nag-kulang 'yung coaches to remind us na to be tough on the defense, lahat lahat naman ng system nila, binigay na talaga [nila lahat],” he said.
Still, it’s up for debate whether or not the Growling Tigers can consistently clean up their act to be able to get into the semis. But their next test will be a crucial one — against a win-strapped NU Bulldogs.
UST faces NU on November 6, Wednesday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.