Growling Tigers dedicate Final Four return to UST community
Photo source: UAAP Media Team
After five years, the UST Growling Tigers are back in the Final Four of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
The Pido Jarencio-led team defeated the Adamson Soaring Falcons with a scoreline of 75-49 on November 16, in front of a UST crowd in San Juan Arena that eagerly anticipated a breakthrough.
Top-scorer Amiel Acido surprised the FilOil Flying V Centre Arena crowd with 14 points. He made it rain from outside with an efficiency of 80%. Acido also drained 5 out of 6 of his field goals.
“Para sa akin, nagpapasalamat ako sa mga gumabay sa’kin. Lalo na sa coaches and sa teammates ko, and then sa mga PTs. Ayan, sila ‘yung mga rason kung bakit nandito ako sa posisyon na ‘to,” he shared.
Acido also mentioned that he’s grateful for the opportunity that Coach Pido gave him. He said, “Matagal ko rin hinintay ‘yon, so nung nabigyan na ako ng chance, binuhos ko na lahat.”
The now-Tiger Forth Padrigao also registered 7 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Despite being familiar territory for the former Blue Eagle, he recognizes that the matches in the Final Four won’t be easy.
The UST Growling Tigers would have to defeat the second-seeded UP Fighting Maroons twice, to enter the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
“From now on, lahat ng laro namin magiging do-or-die. Masaya talaga kami sa panalo, pero isa o dalawang araw na pahinga, UP na naman eh. Mahirap talunin nang dalawang beses ‘yon,” said Padrigao.
King Tiger Nic Cabanero, who recorded 13 points along with 8 rebounds, will finally have a taste of the Final Four. He feels blessed and thankful for the entire team and the UST community for the support they’ve gotten.
“Thank you sa Thomasian community. Ginagawa ko talaga ‘to para [sainyo]. I’ve stayed for three years in here, it’s my fourth year. Meron pa akong last year for next year. Thank you sa love niyo and support niyo,” Cabanero shared.
Head coach Pido Jarencio didn’t miss any name to have fun during the postgame press conference. Along with the little jokes were the words, “Diretso ko na [itong panalo], tuloy-tuloy na ‘to eh.”
