As he made his way out of the SMART-Araneta Coliseum’s south gate, second-year University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers head coach Boy Sablan lifted his hands to the heavens. With rays of sunshine behind him, the much-maligned mentor gave a message to his critics.
“God bless na lang!”
All throughout the 392 days that the Growling Tigers experienced downfalls and setbacks, the Thomasian community have been loud about criticizing Sablan’s methods. Many have called for him to resign, as their beloved Growling Tigers have fallen from grace under the former UST Glowing Goldie.
And he knows that the stories released about him and the Tigers have not been kind, to say the least.
“Nothing against you guys. Ako every time na interviewhin niyo ako, may excuse ako, ‘huwag muna ngayon’. No comment muna ako. Ako’y nagsasabi sa inyo nang maayos. Never ako nag-snub sa inyo,” he shared.
“Pero yung alam mo yung feeling na ganito dapat nangyari, nangyari na eh.”
So no one can blame Sablan for being passionate during his post-game interview after UST’s 17-game losing streak ended Sunday afternoon, 88-85, at the expense of the University of the East Red Warriors. Finally, the “right time” had arrived.
“Siyempre masaya hindi kami na-zero. Masaya kasi hindi kami na-zero. At the same time, ito yung part ng rebuilding process namin eh,” said the much-maligned tactician.
Havinghad his moment, Sablan could not help but throw shade at some of the rumored candidates to replace him.
“Itong mga batang to, kahit saan ‘to makarating, maayos na tao ito, maayos na bata. Hindi makikipag–away, hindi pumapasok sa gulo. Naglaro kami ng maraming probinsya kahit isang away wala kami,” added Sablan, who still has six months in his current contract.
“Bakit? Eh yun yung gusto ko mangyari. Yun yung values ng UST naka-instill sa amin, just play the game.”
“Sabi nga ng nakakataas sa amin dun sa UAAP [sic], it takes at least three years rebuilding process,” Sablan expressed. “Siguro naman tayo, kayo naman you will agree na hndi naman one year eh pwede na. I mean, let’s face it guys, one year is not enough to rebuild a team like this na may pinanggalingan. Di bale sana kung maayos lahat eh.
“Di bale sana kung nandiyan yung Kevin Ferrer mo, nandiyan yung Ed Daquioag mo. Hindi eh, wala! This is rebuilding!
“People are expecting na ito dapat gawin ko. I did my part, I did my best. Nilabas ko ‘tong mga batang to para magkaroon ng laro. Agusan, Davao, Malolos, Baguio, Subic, Pampanga, Cabanatuan, see? Sakto ba? Oh, sakto! Meron pa isa! Laguna! Los Baños! Nilaro namin lahat kasi kailangan nga, nakita ko nga itong mga batang kulang nga dun sa experience and exposure,” he added.
With this, Sablan is hoping to have one more chance to guide and steer this mostly-intact squad.
“Give us another year, ready na ready na yung mga batang ‘to.”
