Tigers hope ace up their sleeves changes fate vs Maroons
The University of Santo Tomas may seem like it drew the same cards it was dealt last year.
Once again, the Growling Tigers entered the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four as the third seed.
Once again, they have to take on a University of the Philippines squad equipped with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Graduating guard Nic Cabañero, though, sees something different—something that grew out of being through tough times before.
“We’re just embracing the pressure and controlling what we can control. We’re focused on the games one at a time,” Cabañero told the Inquirer.
“Bilog ang bola,” Cabañero said, spitting out the sports aphorism meant to convey that anything is possible. “We don’t know what will happen, but for us, our goal is to win.”
Last season, the Tigers lasted just one game in the semifinals, with UP never bothering to fish out their Final Four bonus. The Maroons eventually marched straight to the crown by defeating La Salle in the Finals.
This season, Cabañero is optimistic his team can change things up, a confidence born from UST’s 87-67 victory over UP at the start of Season 88.
“The biggest difference is that we beat them in our first game. We didn’t beat them at all last season. We’ll adjust from that game and the previous games we had. I look forward to what’ll happen in this Final Four,” the graduating guard said.
The Tigers lost to the Maroons in the second round, but they missed 24 free throws in that game, which ended with an 89-88 scoreline after a clutch Harold Alarcon basket to win it.
“We match up well against each other,” said the streak-shooting Cabañero. “I believe in my teammates and coaches. Our system helps guys like Gelo (Crisostomo), Amiel (Acido) and Mark (Llemit) improve. Add that to me and Forthsky’s (Padrigao) leadership and a monster rookie in Collins Akowe.”
UST and UP clash at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The other Final Four bracket will feature No. 1 NU against No. 4 La Salle.
