1. ABDUL, Karim
2. ABDURASAD, Osama Said S.
3. ARANA, Justin P.
4. BONLEON, Mario Emmanuel Jr. T.
5. CAUNAN, Enrique Jr. P.
6. DAQUIOAG, Eduardo Jr. D.
7. FAUNDO, Jeepy C.
8. FERRER, Kevin M.
9. GARRIDO, Janrey L.
10. HUANG, Zachary Lance Eden T.
11. LAO, Kent Jefferson S.
12. LEE, Dean Marvin M.
13. SHERIFF, Sheak JR. J.
14. SUAREZ, Janus Kyle Cristian L.
15. SUBIDO, Henri Lorenzo P.
16. VIGIL, Louie Philippe V.
With few days away
from the highly-anticipated UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament, the UST
Growling Tigers are still looking for their groove to get back to their
championship form that they last had in 2006.
 |
| UST coach Bong Dela Cruz |
After two consecutive
heart-breaking championship defeats at the hands of Ateneo and La Salle back in
2013, the Espana cagers stumbled in Season 77 and finished at sixth place, with
measly five wins on the coaching debut of Bong Dela Cruz.
The injury-plagued
Tigers only won twice against cellar dwellers University of the Philippines and
Adamson University, and another victory at the expense of Far Eastern
University to miss the Final 4 for the first time since 2011.
The decision of Pido
Jarencio to go pro as a coach appointed Dela Cruz of the helm in April. Despite
a strong 3-1 start, the Tigers lost their energy throughout the seasonand never
came back in the second round.
Dela Cruz later took responsibility
of the dismal season, pointing out the Tigers’ short preparation and lack of
chemistry as the main factors for their lackluster performance.
Now that the UAAP has
been moved to September, Dela Cruz is keen enough to get back his wards in the
Final Four with an ample of time to prepare for the contested UAAP tourney.
UST will parade a
stronger and more cohesive lineup in Season 78 with fifth year players Karim
Abdul and Kevin Ferrer leading the way for the 18-time UAAP champion.
 |
| Kent Lao, No. 19, Forward, |
Jamil Sheriff and Renzo
Subido will be the playmakers, while Eduardo Daquioag, Louie Vigil and former
De La Salle Zobel explosive standout Mario Bonleon will spark UST’s scoring
options.
With the exit of Aljon
Mariano and Kim Lo, Season 77 breakout star Kent Lao will
play longer minutes for UST.
Lao, who is expected to
be part of the starting five this year, spearheaded the Tigers in beating FEU last
season with 14 points. He showcased his capability of shooting threes in this
year’s edition of Filoil.
Adding bulk to the scoring options of UST is former UP shooting guard Kyle Suarez, who will make his return in the league, this time wearing the black-and-gold jersey.
Adding bulk to the scoring options of UST is former UP shooting guard Kyle Suarez, who will make his return in the league, this time wearing the black-and-gold jersey.
Rookies to look out for are former FEU High school
scoring leader Marvin Lee, who made 22 triples in the juniors’ division and Cebu’s
Zac Huang .
Key
players
Karim Abdul
(Center)
14.38
points per game (ppg)
9.23
rebounds per game (rpg)
1.69
blocks per game (bpg)
1.54
assists per game (apg)
1.14
steals per game (spg)
The three-time UAAP Mythical Five
selection Karim Abdul has been the offensive and defensive weapon for UST the last
four seasons.
Now playing for his final player, Abdul
only lacks one thing: a championship that he was denied for two straight years.
 |
| Karim Abdul, No. 20, Center |
Throughout the years, Abdul vastly
improved his shooting, footwork and defense, making him the most lethal big man
currently playing in the league.
With consistent productions on his collegiate
career, the Cameroonian has been an MVP candidate since his rookie year. He
almost snagged the Best Player award in Season 75 with a very close margin
against two-time MVP awardee Bobby Ray Parks of NU.
Abdul will play the most important role
for the Tigers this season. With almost 35 minutes of playing time, he is the
heart of UST. Abdul had a number of crucial shots for the Tigers on his career.
When no one could step up, he’s ready to take over.
His defense likewise already did
wonders, including a rejection of a Mac Belo that could have end UST’s stint in
Season 76 in the elimination round. On that season, they made it to the Finals.
Kevin Ferrer (Forward)
9.62
points per game (ppg)
5.25
rebounds per game (rpg)
1.38
assists per game (apg)
1.00
steals per game (spg)
Three
point shooting: 8/46
 |
| Kevin Ferrer, No. 14, Forward |
The swingman struggled as well in making
shots from downtown, chalking up only eight treys in 46 attempts.
After his departure in the juniors’ rank
in Season 73, Ateneo and NU showed interest for the 6’4 forward. Ferrer, in the
end, decided to stay and remained loyal with the Tigers.
Ferrer immediately made it to the
starting five under coach Pido and introduced himself as a slasher and three-point
shooting kind of player.
The two-time SEA Games gold medalist is gear-up
to lead the Tigers after gaining experience from the national team. Ferrer
played several minutes for the Gilas cadet, mainly for defensive purposes.
Ed Daquioag (Shooting
Guard)
7.17 points per game (ppg)
2.58 rebounds per game (rpg)
1.5
assists per game (apg)
1.33
steals per game (spg)
The veteran Eduardo Daquioag showed a
glimpse in the recently-concluded Filoil tournament of what he could contribute
for the Tigers once UAAP starts in September.
 |
| Ed Daquioag, No. 8, Shooting Guard |
With the absence of Abdul and Ferrer,
Daquioag consistenly registered double-digit performance in the preseason
tournament, including a 34-point explosion in a loss against Centro Escolar
University.
Season 78 is the perfect time for
Daquioag to prove that he could lead a team after playing behind the shadows of
Jeric Teng and Jeric Fortuna under Jarencio. His consistency had been an issue
for the past seasons. Despite of that, we know that he could deliver if the
team badly needs him.
Flaunting a defensive squad with a deeper
bench, a perennial problem for the Growling Tigers ever since, UST is not far from
surprising everyone this season.
Prediction:
After first round: 3rd/ 4th
Final Four
Credits: The Varsitarian for the photos.
