It has been over a year since Far Eastern University–Diliman last defeated University of Santo Tomas.
Since then, the Baby Tamaraws have dropped five straight UAAP Junior High School matchups against the Tiger Cubs, dating back to the second round of Season 87. UST also ended FEU-D’s campaign in the Season 87 Final Four despite having a twice-to-win disadvantage.
The Tiger Cubs continued their dominance in Season 88, sweeping the Baby Tamaraws in the elimination round, including a 108-70 blowout in the second round.
But FEU-D has a chance to hit two birds with one stone on Wednesday.
The Baby Tamaraws advanced past the stepladder quarterfinal with a 90-76 win over the Adamson Baby Falcons on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, setting up another semifinal clash with the Tiger Cubs.
Under the guidance of Muriel Garcia, FEU-D will aim not only to finally end their long losing streak to UST — including defeats in preseason tournaments — but also to halt the Tiger Cubs’ season.
The team’s last victory over UST was a 90-83 win in the first round of Season 87.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“‘Yung chance, hahawakan namin ‘yung chance na ‘yun na binigyan kami ulit ng pagkakataon para magkita kami ngayon,” said Garcia after eliminating Adamson. “Walang regret kung ano’t ano man ang mangyari, maglaro ulit kami ng basketball tuloy-tuloy.”
FEU-D leader Prince Cariño looks to channel the pain of past losses into motivation for Wednesday’s matchup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Cariño posted a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double to power the Baby Tamaraws past the Baby Falcons.
“Alam naman natin na simula ng second round nung Season 87 hanggang ngayon, hindi pa kami nananalo sa UST. So gagawin lang namin talagang motivation ‘yun na kahit anong mangyari, ibubuhos namin sa Wednesday,” said Cariño.
“Ipapakita namin ang dugong Tamaraw sa Wednesday.”
Dwyne Enriquez, who steadied FEU-D in the second half with 29 points — including 16 in the third quarter alone — echoed Cariño’s sentiment, promising to leave everything on the court to extend their season and reach the championship round.
“Simula nga last year di pa kami nanalo sa UST hanggang sa preseason hindi talaga kami nanalo sa kanila. Ngayon, ipapakita namin sa kanila kung ano talaga ang Tamaraw,” he said.
