Enough rest. The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers have five days to recover from their encounter with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
The Growling Tigers will be a recharged team when they face the La Salle Green Archers 2 p.m. today in their featured game in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Yung five days na ‘to, samantalahin namin ‘to. Itutulog namin ‘to,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo as UST goes for their fifth win in seven games, and at the end of the first round.
Ayo believes the tight schedule of the first round has exhausted most of his players, who need to be rested before they tackle La Salle.
He said that that team has been responding well to the challenges that they have been facing. They defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 82-74, last Sept. 22.
La Salle (2-4) is coming from a 71-72 setback to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Wednesday.
The Tamaraws (2-4), who are in fifth with La Salle, will try to bounce back in their 4 p.m. clash with the Adamson Falcons.
The Falcons will seek to recover from their 61-68 setback to the Green Archers last weekend.
“As early as now, we’re trying to win the games that we can of course and compete. Kasi ayaw namin na pag dating sa second round, naghahabol. I always tell the players right now hawak pa natin ang manubela,” said Ayo.
In their game against FEU, Sherwin Concepcion ignited the Growling Tigers’ explosion in the first quarter to rally back from a 36-24 hole. Before that the Tigers missed their first seven attempts from the field.
Concepcion, a rookie out of Mapua, connected on four of his eight shots from deep to finish with 12 points.
The 6’2” Concepcion waxed hot in the second half when he helped UST break away and before adding one more to open the fourth quarter and grab a 67-55 lead.