By: Dominic Adrian Veloso
Despite suffering its third consecutive defeat at the hands of National University, University of Santo Tomas may have found a hidden gem who could help revive its Final Four bid in the highly competitive UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
As the Growling Tigers slipped to solo seventh place with a 4-6 win-loss record following Saturday afternoon’s loss at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, transferee forward Kristian Porter provided a bright spot for a UST side that continues to miss the services of Gelo Crisostomo while also dealing with the struggles of Collins Akowe.
In just 18 minutes and 53 seconds of action, Porter turned in his best performance in a Growling Tigers uniform, tallying eight points, six rebounds, six assists, and one steal. He also posted a team-high efficiency rating of +14.
“Siyempre, masaya ako na binigyan ako ng chance nila coach. May tiwala naman yung teammates ko sa akin. Sana sa mga remaining games, mailabas ko yung ganitong laro para maitulong ko sa team namin,” the former Blue Eagle told Tiebreaker Times.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With Akowe struggling against NU’s imposing frontcourt of Mo Diassana, PJ Palacielo, and Kenshin Padrones, Porter knows that he must step up as the second round enters a crucial stretch.
The trio combined for 43 of the Bulldogs’ 75 points while also helping NU outrebound the entire UST lineup, 37-29.
After averaging just 1.38 points and 1.63 rebounds in his first eight appearances, Porter is determined to build on his best showing of Season 89, especially with opposing defenses increasingly focusing on Akowe.
“Siyempre, Collins being Collins, aabangan yan ng lahat ng teams, kailangan hindi siya makahawak ng bola. Even though he’s not really playing his game, he’s helping, and through the mga instructions ng coaches, kahit hindi siya maka-score, he looks for us,” Porter shared.
“However, we also have to be available. Siyempre, mas gutom kami to step up and hopefully end the losing streak.”
Another source of motivation for Porter is the opportunity to fill the void left by co-captain Gelo Crisostomo, who sustained a partial right ACL sprain during the Growling Tigers’ first-round matchup against the De La Salle University Green Archers.
With the UAAP Season 89 standings as tight as ever and only four elimination-round games remaining, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle understands that he and sophomore Koji Buenaflor must help make up for Crisostomo’s absence.
“Sa team namin, we have a next man up mentality. Nung nalaman namin na hindi pa nakakabalik si Gelo, kami ni Koji, we had to take it to ourselves na we have to fill in yung hole na iniwan ni Gelo. We have to perform the way he performs. We have to fill that gap, and sana naman, we can fulfill our roles doing that,” Porter said.
“Overall, para sa team namin, kahit talo kami, each loss is just making us hungrier and making us want to get that win more than anything. I hope na sa next game namin, mailalabas namin yung gutom na ‘yon.”
