Tables now turned, Maroons try to pounce on slumping Tigers
The UAAP season began with a stunning blowout—University of Santo Tomas handing defending champion University of the Philippines an emphatic 87-67 loss. Now, just weeks later, the paths of these two teams have completely flipped.
From the ashes of a 0-2 start, the Fighting Maroons (6-3) have clawed back into championship form. They’ve won six of their last seven games and now sit comfortably in solo second behind National University’s 8-2 record.
The Growling Tigers, on the other hand, are in free fall. Once unbeaten at 4-0 and riding a resurgence that turned heads around the league, UST has now lost four of five and finds itself teetering on the edge of the Final Four race.
Their rematch today at the Mall of Asia Arena isn’t just a game—it’s also proof of how swiftly the season’s momentum has changed.
“They’re very competitive also as a team,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde, refusing to underestimate the Tigers despite their slump. “For us, we always focus on ourselves first—on what we need to improve. Of course, we prepare for every team the same way, and UST is no different. What’s important for us right now is to concentrate on our own game first, then slowly work our way toward preparing for UST.”
End to struggles?
If UP is refining its championship edge, UST is desperately trying to rediscover its early-season identity. A gut-wrenching 96-97 overtime loss to Adamson last week typified their recent struggles—blowing an eight-point lead late in regulation and watching their place in the standings slip.
“I don’t think we need to change anything,” said UST cocaptain Forthsky Padrigao. “What’s more important is that we stay together, especially during tough times like this. We have to dig deep and really find out who we are and what our identity is as a team. Hopefully, we can show that in our next few games.”
Padrigao added, “We have to give more than 100 percent every game. It’s on us—watching film, learning from our mistakes, because that’s how we’ll improve. Our team is really growing and improving, even during this four-game losing streak—so yeah, let’s see.”
At 5-4, the Tigers cling to the fourth seed by just half a game over Adamson. With UP surging and UST stumbling, this matchup holds playoff implications for both—one team trying to keep pace with the leaders, the other hoping to stop the bleeding.
