The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are fast emerging as a major threat to the finals’ aspirations of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The Growling Tigers announced themselves as contenders for the second finals’ slot following their 81-71 win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws last Wednesday in the first stepladder semis playoff of the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
But UST will have to hurdle the Fighting Maroons twice in a row since UP has a twice-to-beat incentive as the no. 2 seeded team.
“We’re going to take it one game at a time. Talagang isa lang ‘yan. Hindi mo dapat iisipin ‘yung pangalawa, hindi mo dapat iisipin ‘yung susunod, kung ano nasa harapan mo, ‘yun ang dapat isipin mo,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo.
In dealing with FEU, the Growling Tigers displayed fluid ball movement and precision passing early in the game.
The Growling Tigers worked hard to keep a double-digit advantage in the last five minutes, and their efforts paid off.
Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo tallied a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Growling Tigers.
Brent Paraiso struck with 18 points for the Tigers before he was ejected after an unsportsmanlike foul in the last 28.5 seconds. Paraiso would most likely be absent in their first game with the Maroons because of this.
The Growling Tigers and the Fighting Maroons meeting at 4 p.m. this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
UST last reached the finals back in 2015 and won the crown against the Tams.