Boy Sablan beams after UST’s gallant stand versus Ateneo

After the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ loss to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles Wednesday night, second-year head coach Boy Sablan strutted out of the dugout with his head up high and his arms raised in the air.

“Twenty-two points, we fought back from twenty-two down to one!”

Though UST suffered their fifth straight setback to go to 0-5 — the school’s worst start in the Men’s Basketball era since the Final Four was implemented — the Growling Tigers were able to give the league-leading Blue Eagles their toughest challenge so far. And for doing that, Sablan made sure to tell his players that he was proud of the effort they showed.

“Happy ako sa team kasi kahit ganun we are fighting until the end.

“Medyo kinapos lang pero last year, kung matambakan kami wala na, out na,” admitted Sablan, who steered UST to an eight place finish in his first year of duty.

Though the wins have been elusive, the Growling Tigers have seen vast improvements from a season ago.

Last season, UST lost by a league-high margin of 12 points per contest. A year later, they are losing by an average of 8.2 points. Moreover, the Growling Tigers have kept pace with their opponents before letting go in the final frame — the exact same thing that happened in the final quarter of their game against Ateneo.

“Siguro dun kami nagkakaron ng problema sa team chemistry although yung laro at puso ng players nandiyan na,” admitted Sablan.

“But it’s just a matter of time para ma-develop namin yun.”

And with the positives he and his team saw in their valiant outing against Ateneo, Sablan believes that the win will come their way.

“Binibigay yan sa tamang panahon. Hindi natin alam kung kailan pero darating rin yan.”