We’re coming, Pido says as Tigers clinch third semifinal berth
For the first time in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball, coach Pido Jarencio sat on the podium for the customary postgame press conference to reflect on University of Santo Tomas’ entry to the Final Four berth.
Jarencio had designated his assistants to do the required media rounds this season. But on Sunday, there he was in his usual jolly mood, even belting a few lines from the songs “My Way” and “Till I Met You” while savoring the Growling Tigers’ 80-71 victory over the National University Bulldogs on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Jarencio has every reason to be happy—and finally present for a chat with reporters.
UST is through to the Final Four, where it will join NU and UP, avoiding what would have been a predicament of going through a complex race to the Final Four.
“We got a nice record to start the first round, then we had four straight losses,” Jarencio said. “During our struggles, there were doubts about the team, saying, ‘Is this UST team a joke?’ No, we’re here and we’re coming.”
The Growling Tigers, who pulled away in the fourth quarter behind four three-pointers behind Mark Llemit and Amiel Acido, improved to 8-5, enough to book their place in the semifinal phase, where they will face the Maroons, burdened by the need to defeat the defending champions twice in a row.
That meant La Salle, archrival Ateneo and Far Eastern University are the last teams standing in the race for the lone remaining Final Four spot.
And the last playdate of the elimination round on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum could sort that three-way race out.
Ateneo stayed alive with a 72-61 win that eliminated Adamson from semifinal contention in the first game. The Blue Eagles improved to 6-7, tying the win-loss record of the Tamaraws.
La Salle has an inside track at getting to the semis with a 7-6 record and a win over Ateneo on Wednesday will complete the Final Four cast.
FEU battles UST in the other game of that doubleheader, needing a win against the Tigers, who have no stake in the match.
What happens if La Salle, Ateneo and FEU end up at 7-7? They will figure in a stepladder to determine the remaining Final Four contender.
“I would imagine it would be a tough, closely-fought, competitive game,” Baldwin said ahead of the showdown with the Green Archers, originally set for Nov. 9 but postponed due to Typhoon Uwan.
Ateneo won the first-round duel between the two teams, but the Eagles led by 30 entering the fourth quarter and needed to thwart a late rally by La Salle before holding on to an 81-74 victory.
