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 ###