Heading into UAAP Season 88, many indications were pointing to a two-horse race between the DLSU Green Archers and the UP Fighting Maroons. That was, until the UST Growling Tigers decided to run through both as if they were middling squads in the midst of a rebuild. 

The Growling Tigers looked like a well-oiled machine early on, averaging 90 points a game and defeating both Season 87 finalists by an average of 14.5 points. Collins Akowe was as good as advertised, shattering any doubts about his transition to the men’s division. Meanwhile, Nic Cabanero was making good on his vow to close his time with UST on a happy note, as he was having a solid start to his campaign (efficiency be damned). 

But then, it wasn’t smooth sailing as another upstart team in the NU Bulldogs sent the Growling Tigers crashing back to earth. Earning a victory against the still-winless UE Red Warriors was the bare minimum for a team of UST’s caliber. The Ateneo Blue Eagles, though, gave them their toughest challenge yet. 

Like the Growling Tigers, the Blue Eagles shattered expectations by beating contenders ahead of them, with a loss to the Fighting Maroons serving as their own blemish. Ateneo has been playing their best basketball since winning it all in UAAP Season 85 by winning four of their first five games. Playing in the newly renovated Blue Eagle Gym, however, was an added wrinkle for UST as they had to play in a hostile environment. 

All things considered, it’s an early game of the year candidate. 

It took three overtimes for the outcome to be decided, and it’s safe to say that the Growling Tigers outlasted the Blue Eagles in their homecourt. Fatigue became a factor for the latter in the extra periods, but the likes of Jared Bahay and Josh Lazaro made some crucial baskets to give Ateneo some hope. In the end, however, UST proved to be too much for Ateneo. 

Because of their efforts, the Growling Tigers find themselves in second place as of this writing. However, they’re at par with the Bulldogs as they too have just one loss. They have Akowe and Forthsky Padrigao to thank for that. Both have made UST an inside-outside force, with Akowe powering through double and triple teams, while Padrigao continues to make critical plays no matter the circumstances. 

Cabanero remains a pivotal piece thanks to his scoring ability. Efficiency issues still hound his game, but when he takes what the defense gives instead of forcing the issue, the game will be so much easier for him. 

The second round of Season 88 is right around the corner and it’s during that time teams inch closer to peak form. The UST Growling Tigers seemed to have hit their stride much earlier than expected, but that won’t be an issue for them so long as they can sustain it going forward. They’d prefer to avoid the same fate as the UE Red Warriors, who have yet to win in nearly a year. 

Unlike the Red Warriors, though, the Growling Tigers have some key pieces that not only have the talent, but also the grit to overcome whatever adversity comes their way. A championship remains the goal and if they keep this energy, we may see UST emerge at the top after nearly two decades.