Tigers lose Game 1 against Blue Eagles, 78-83

Just like the rule of any game, there will be winners and unfortunately losers. This time, UST was assigned in the unsuccessful side. 

It was a fiery start. Big crowd in yellow cheering for "GoUSTe!" and with hopes of redeeming the title that they last held six years ago. 

When everyone was on the momentum, things went rough and the tables easily turned for the Tigers.

They tried to stage a comeback though that kept the Thomasian community alive.

But their efforts were short.

The UST Growling Tigers went all out in the final canto but bowed down to four-time defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 78-83, dropping Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series in the UAAP Men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday Afternoon.

Jeric Teng steered UST with 25 points including two crucial three-pointers down the stretch while Aljon Mariano led the damage in the last quarter to register 22 markers and 12 rebounds.

Graduating forward Nico Salva sparkled with a career-high 30 points for Ateneo. 

Down 10 points entering the fourth, Mariano stood up by his name as the Espana clutch cat after igniting seven points within two minutes of play to translate an 11-2 UST run and eventually snatch the lead, 64-63.  

But Mr. 100% Norman Black  could not just stare the Tigers from taking home Game 1.

Season 72 Finals' MVP Ryan Buenafe scored from a goaltending violation committed by UST's Karim Abdul capped by his dagger trey and a free-throw to give the lead back to the Blue Eagles, 77-70.

UST retaliated its defense. But Ateneo just utilized its experience at crunch time.

With Mariano completing a three-point play at 2:50 mark to cut the deficit to five, 72-77, Juami Tiongson hurt UST for the second time after scoring two key baskets that bubble their lead to nine, 81-72.

The UST crowd had a silent moment for a while in the last minute of regulation. 

Teng took the limelight for a while.

The veteran shooting guard sparked two beyond the arc shots that kept the Thomasian spirit alive, 78-81, with less than 36 seconds to play. 

The next turn of events made the biggest blow on the comeback kids' game.

Abdul fouled out of the game against the raging Kiefer Ravena, who made 13 points, that weakened the Tigers' much needed defense in the payoff period.

With half a minute to play, Ravena milked the clock for the Eagles following a long shot that that helped Ateneo to pull away for good, 83-78.

The Tigers opened the series by displaying a balanced scoring and a good transition defense that handed them an early seven-point lead in the first half, 38-31.

Coach Pido Jarencio meanwhile expressed his disappointments with the referees' officiating after questionable calls against his Cameroonian center, and the final foul of Buenafe against Teng, who took the last UST shot and missed. 

“Kailangan ba mag-e-English ako para paburan ako? Ganun ba labanan dito?," said Jarencio. "Hindi totoo. Nasa Pilipinas tayo dapat tayong mga Pilipino mahalin niyang mga iyan."

Although Jarencio will not file a protest, he is wishing for a better officiating on their next game.

The Game 2 of the Finals will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, where the Tigers remained unscathed in seven outings this season. ALEXIS U. CERADO ###

Dynasty or Destiny? YOU DECIDE.

BOX SCORES:

UST 78- Teng 25, Mariano 22, Ferrer 13, Abdul 9, Fortuna 4, Lo 3, Pe 2, Bautista 0,

Ateneo 83- Salva 30, Ravena 13, Tiongson 12, Buenafe 10, Chua 9, Slaughter 5, Gonzaga 2, Elorde 2, Sumalinog 0, Golla 0

Quarter scores: 24-18, 38-31, 51-61, 78-83

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PHOTOS by Sherwin Marion T. Vardeleon and John Paul R. Autor of The Varsitarian
Best of luck, Tigers! Let's go for the 2006 repeat! #FUELEDFORUST 

NU Bullpups edge UST Tiger Cubs; settle for third

30 September 2012, 8:12 p.m. - THE UST Tiger Cubs staged a late-game rally but came up short against reigning titlists National University Bullpups, 66-78, in the semifinals of the UAAP Juniors' basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Sunday afternoon.

Prince Martin came off the bench with 25 points and nine rebounds for UST, while Cubs Alvin Ungria and Vaughn Soriano added 19 and 10 markers, respectively.

Hubert Cani led the Bulldogs with 21 points and six boards.

Down 17 points in the third frame, UST sparked a 20-6 run to cut the deficit to eight, 62-70, in the payoff period.

But NU contained UST's shooters and scored six points in the final minute to pull away for good, 76-64.

"Experience-wise, NU really has the edge. We really worked hard to enter the Final Four," said coach Allan Ascue. "From second-runner up this season, we aim to surpass it next year." Alexis U. Cerado

BOX SCORES:

UST 66 - Martin 25, Ungria 19, Soriano 10, Bahia 7, Baetiong 3, Corre 1, Borje 1, Mayor 0, Dandan 0, Abuyen 0

NU 78 - Cani 21, Atangan 18, Cauilan 14, Morido 11, Canaynay 9, Lapiz 4, Busa 1, Lopena 0, Dela Cruz 0, Claveria 0, Biteng 0, Battad 0, Batawan 0

Quarter scores: 17-23, 30-38, 42-59, 66-78

© UST's The Varsitarian | 2012

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Just wanna thank coach Allan Ascue, Prince Martin and the rest of the gang for a great season! Thank you for being approachable and kind. I consider you guys as my favorite beat in my second year as a sports writer! Kudos! 

Judokas beam fortitude, retain golden finish

UAAP Season 73 MVP and Lady Judoka Setsuko Ando goes for an ippon as the UST Lady Judokas capture their third consecutive championship. Photo by Jaime T. Campos

30 September 2012, 10:34 p.m. - UST JUDOKAS successfully defended their titles at the end of UAAP competitions at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Lady Judokas amassed 53 points en route to their third consecutive title, 20 points ahead of 12-time titlists University of the Philippines (UP), which finished second with 33 markers.

The Tiger Judokas also dominated the mats with a 3-3-3 gold-silver-bronze medal haul to rack up 51 points and score their second consecutive UAAP championship.

They outclassed Day 1 leaders UP and De La Salle University, which both finished with 27 points to place second and third, respectively.

Down seven points yesterday, the Lady Judokas got their groove back as they snatched two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals.

Season 75 MVP Jewel de Castro and Dianne Villabos spearheaded the squad by pocketing gold in the +70 and -78 kilogram categories, respectively.

UST's Ednorly San Andres (-70 kg) and Janine Honorio (+63 kg) settled for runner-up finishes, while Season 73 MVP Setsuko Ando and Princess and Amina Lucman added three bronze medals. UST's Sueko Kinjho took home the Rookie of the Year award.

"We only had the mindset to catch up with UP yesterday. I didn't expect some of my players to take home medals (in some divisions)," said sophomore coach Gerard Arce. "It's really a miracle."

Newly-minted MVP Al Rolan Llamas and Jon Rodriguez steered the men's squad by ruling the -60 and -66 kgs categories.

Adrian Mercado and Lucky Flores settled for silver-medal finishes in the same events.

Earlier, Stephen Que (-100 kg), Jann Herrera (-90 kg) and last season's MVP Brian Llamas (-73 kg) copped bronze medals for UST.

Yesterday, the Juniors' team toppled six-time defending champions Ateneo High School. Alexis U. Cerado

© UST's The Varsitarian | 2012

Capturing moments.

Computer games really poisoned their minds.

Alexis U. Cerado ###

Aljon Mariano: The España clutch cat

Tiger No. 10.

For the UST community, the number says it all. Whenever the Growling Tigers need someone to step-up down the stretch, he is always equipped to drive and connect from the rainbow country.

Call him the comeback king.

Tag him as the Tigers’ go-to-guy.

Definitely, this returning Tiger showed his craft, and got a lot more to show the coming years.

For some collegiate cagers, it would be a physical and psychological struggle to suffer from injury and sit-out for the long-awaited UAAP season. But for UST forward Aljon Mariano, it was a different story. The hiatus was a blessing in disguise.

A fractured ankle plagued down Mariano’s chance to power UST’s line-up last season. Although the squad ended to a convincing 8-6 win-loss record to book a Final Four ticket, things may be different with the additional touch of the clutch cat.

During the 72nd season, the Growling Tigers recruited a 6’3 standout that could be a replacement with the loss of key player Jervy Cruz.

The then rookie entered the court with much determination, hoping to carve his niche by flaunting a show by his own.

Despite the spirit, it was not a fruitful year for Mariano compared to his teammate Jeric Teng, who won the Rookie of the Year award in that season.

Given only limited minutes inside the court, Mariano strived hard until Season 73 arrived, where he became part of coach Pido’s starters.

Averaging 7.1 points per game (PPG) and 3.1 rebounds per game (RBG), Mariano played a vital role for the retaliating squad, who then lost a crucial player in Season 72 MVP Dylan Ababou.

His efforts were short though.

Besting only the University of the East and the University of the Philippines, the España-based cagers listed a gloomy 4-10 win-loss card and placed seventh, Jarencio’s worst record in five years of coaching.

For a while, the hoop world stopped for UST.

Entering Season 74, the Tigers were then hopeful for a better stint. As they started a new season of challenges, things did not favor the 20-year-old Tiger. Jarencio sat Mariano out from the line up to recover from the ankle damage.

But it didn’t stop him from learning new tricks and resetting his goals.

Finally, Mariano made his comeback summer of this year in the 2012 Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup.

Against San Beda, where they suffered a 54-70 opening game setback, Mariano only scored three points on top of six rebounds and one assist.

Seemed dismal maybe, but it was only the start.

The next eight games, Mariano topscored the Tigers in seven of their nine outings. With an average of 13 points in the summer league, the swingman steered the Tigers to quarterfinals where they went neck-and-neck against champions National University Bulldogs.

The stellar performance marked his return that even thwarted Ateneo, 63-65, crediting to the 18-point effort of Mariano.

It was not only about ‘almost upsetting’ a team. The junior forward also registered his career-high 26 points against the University of the Philippines, capped by 10 boards.

That is why Ateneo champion coach Norman Black labeled him a big threat.

Same sequence happened at the start of Season 75.

When UST suffered a heartbreaking 72-73 loss against Far Eastern University, Mariano only racked up 10, not observed by a lot, not surpassing expectations.

When everyone thought that the Jarencio-mentored team would only rely on Karim Abdul, Jeric Fortuna or Teng, a new hero had risen from the grave. 

This time, it’s big time.

No one expected that the Tigers could defeat the defending champions in a come-from-behind 71-70 victory coming from a 19-point deficit in the first half. Thanks to the heroics of Mariano, who pumped in 21 points and 13 rebounds to end UST’s 12-game losing streak against the Eagles.

PUSO LANG, as what he told the press after the game that took five years in the making.

The former San Beda Red Cub played crucial minutes anew for the squad when they handed the De La Salle University Green Archers an 84-82 double-overtime beating in the first round.

Mariano fired 11 of his 15 points in the overtime periods, nailing another classic UST win via an enormous performance at crunch time.

In the second round, he lifted the Tigers against the win-hungry National University Bulldogs where he shone with 22 markers en route to a 58-57 come-from-behind overtime conquest.

From there, Aljon ascended from an unnoticed species to a new superstar to watch out.

His stats also improved to 13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 2.2 assists per outing, good for a 53.86 statistical points after first round to rank ninth in the MVP race.

With two games remaining including the crucial match against Ateneo on Saturday, the show isn’t over for Aljon Mariano.

For the delight of the UST crowd, he will continue to growl, make massive impacts and stand-up by his name as España’s rising clutch cat. Alexis U. Cerado ###