Around two weeks ago, the conversation surrounding the UST Growling Tigers was on missed opportunities after a solid start to UAAP Season 88. Great wins followed tough losses and it allowed a couple of their peers to move past them and secure the coveted twice-to-beat advantage heading into the Final Four.
The Growling Tigers got a crucial victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles and avoided being the squad with the distinction of giving the UE Red Warriors their first victory in Season 88. Beyond that, though, it was loss after loss after loss in the second round. However, destiny remained within UST’s control; all they had to do was seize it.
The NU Bulldogs had nothing to play for with the top seed secured and yet they were the more desperate team early on. Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa was trying to spread the minutes among 14 players and a few minutes into the third quarter, it looked like they were sending a subtle message to the Growling Tigers and the rest of the league that heading into the Final Four, this was NU’s most balanced lineup in years.
However, UST found a different gear in the second half, using a 15-5 run to take a 54-53 lead they would never relinquish. Whether or not the Bulldogs took their foot off the pedal can be a debate, but a game nonetheless had to be played and the Growling Tigers seized the chance. UST also had the last say in terms of balance, as eight of their players scored at least seven points, with many coming during that critical stretch in the third quarter.
The Growling Tigers have shown what they’re capable of when they’re dominating the paint to open up their perimeter game, a key driver to their strong wins. However, this has been offset by sloppy play from UST on both ends of the floor. These miscues at times proved damaging for the Growling Tigers, as they led to points for their opponents. This is on top of UST’s shoddy free throw shooting (60.3 percent), which has prevented them from capitalizing on their UAAP-best 29.1 free throw attempts per game.
But for now, the Growling Tigers can now breathe a sigh of relief. Their focus, though, should shift towards sharpening their game heading into the season finale against the FEU Tamaraws. Momentum will be critical for UST as despite having won against both NU and the UP Fighting Maroons, the Final Four is a different environment. Weaknesses get put on a microscope and strengths tend to even out, especially when the pace slows down to a trickle. The Tamaraws talented backcourt, led by Janrey Pasaol, Jorick Bautista, and Kirby Mongcopa, should test that of the Growling Tigers and prepare them for the bigger battles ahead.
With the goal of entering the UAAP Season 88 Final Four ticked off their list, the UST Growling Tigers have risen above the chaos that now looms over the DLSU Green Archers, Ateneo Blue Eagles, and the FEU Tamaraws. However, questions from their recent slump still remain and how they respond to them could spell the difference between another quick Final Four trip and one that ends with an elusive championship.
