University of Santo Tomas’ fortunes in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament have yet to turn in their favor.
The Growling Tigers first suffered an 83-73 defeat to the UP Fighting Maroons. Then came a narrow 94-87 overtime loss to the DLSU Green Archers.
Saturday afternoon, UST faced another close loss, falling 67-64 to the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Trailing by two with 16 seconds left, UST point guard Forthsky Padrigao turned the ball over during an inbound pass intended for Nic Cabañero.
This miscue led to a steal by Sean Quitevis, who finished with a fastbreak layup, extending Ateneo’s lead to 66-62 with just 11.7 seconds remaining.
Following a split at the charity stripe by Ian Espinosa, the Growling Tigers were unable to attempt a game-tying shot as Christian Manaytay was stripped of the ball.
Despite the string of heart-wrenching losses, Padrigao urged his teammates to view these narrow defeats as learning experiences that could help them improve their 4-6 record amidst a three-game losing streak.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung mga ganitong experience, talagang for learning siya. I mean, kailan ba kami nakapag-experience ng ganito – nung La Salle, itong Ateneo,” the former Blue Eagle shared.
“Nakikita ko naman yung team namin na talagang nag-eeffort and tinitignan nila kung ano pwede nila matutunan each game, lalo na pag nag-uusap-usap kami. Talo na kami, so next play lang kami,” he went on.
“Yung learnings na ganon eh talagang makukuha namin pag na-experience namin yung bagay na ‘yon. It’s two straight games pero wala pa kami nagawa on that end of the floor. Natututo pa rin kasi kami ‘eh.”
Although the new-look Growling Tigers have already played nine games together in the UAAP, the 23-year-old point guard lamented the lack of familiarity that has contributed to crucial errors during their three-game losing streak.
In addition to their mistakes against Ateneo, UST also fell victim to a missed free throw by Padrigao in the fourth period and a La Salle overtime surge that hindered their comeback efforts against the defending champions.
“Yung team naman namin, hindi naman yan like buo na agad kasi kailan lang ba kami nagsama. It’s not an excuse but then, kailangan na namin yung next four games,” the UAAP Season 85 Mythical Five member concluded.
“And sana yung mga endgame situations for the past two games, sana mas may ma-learn pa kami doon and madala namin sa upcoming games namin.”
