385 days and counting
The last time the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers was able to taste sweet victory was over a year ago, October 15, 2016 to be exact, after upsetting the NU Bulldogs, 73-69.
Since then, everything has gone down hill for the once proud program. UST have lost 17 straight games under second year head coach Boy Sablan’s watch. Moreover, with just one game remaining in the season, this batch of Growling Tigers are in danger of being the first UST team to go winless in a season.
Still, Sablan, a former UST Glowing Goldie, remained defiant, saying that going winless in a season is nothing new for the 80 year old league.
“Di lang ako ang na-zero dito sa UAAP. Yung ibang teams dyan, marami. Zero. Tanungin niyo ang history. So hindi ako ang unang zero dito,” said Sablan after UST’s 83-102 loss to Ateneo.
“Pero yung history ng ibang teams, marami zero dyan.”
The last winless season for a UAAP team happened back in the 76th season of the league when the UP Fighting Maroons finished with a 0-14 slate.
Sablan is begging for understanding from the community as he believes that the UST basketball program is still in its rebuilding phase. He believes that by next season, the Growling Tigers have been toughened out by the losses they have been receiving.
“Uulitin ko sa inyo, there is winning in losing. Sabi ko, ininterpret ko sa akin sa sarili ko, panalo ako sa mga players na ito kasi wala naman itong mga to few years back,” expressed the much-maligned head coach, “Yung development nila, maganda. Siguro yun ang nagawa ko, panalo ako para sa kanila.
“Yung rebuilding process kasi sabi nga yung isang kataas taasang pari sa amin, rebuilding process takes three years at least. So nung nag-assume ako last year nung June, tapon kasi wala akong time,” furthered Sablan, “This year, nag peprepare ako ng January kaya ang dami naming ligang sinalihan eh. Yung maturity, exposure and experience nakita naman natin.
“Siguro by next year, iba na ito kasi alam na nila eh.”
Though looking forward to next season, Sablan is hoping that they could at least salvage some pride when the Growling Tigers take on the UE Red Warriors on Sunday, November 12. And this game might actually decide whether he will be here come next year.
