University of Santo Tomas achieved what it had struggled to do for nearly a decade: overcome Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
On Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, the Growling Tigers ended a 17-game losing streak against the Blue Eagles with a 74-64 victory. This win marked UST’s second consecutive triumph in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
With this victory, UST matched its win tally from Season 86 and shared the top spot in the eight-team collegiate league with the reigning champion De La Salle University.
“Itong team na ito, ine-establish namin sarili namin na magkaroon ng identity itong team,” said Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio after the game. “Sa ngayon, nananalo kami, we’re doing well. Doon sa sistema na pinasok namin, and then Forthsky is the leader.
“Kaya medyo na-establish na namin. Nagkakaroon na ng ipin yung team.”
Before this historic win, however, the Growling Tigers had endured 17 consecutive losses during an era when the Blue Eagles’ championship pedigree was at its peak.
A Tiger’s Tale
After finishing sixth in Season 77 with a 5-9 record, UST, led by Karim Abdul, Kevin Ferrer, and Ed Daquioag, managed a 16-point comeback win over Ateneo for its fourth win in five games. However, the losing streak began when the Blue Eagles defeated UST 80-74 in the second round of the same season.
Despite UST’s strong finish, which included eight wins in their last ten elimination games and a Final Four victory over then-champion NU, the Growling Tigers’ momentum faltered.
Allegations of verbal and physical abuse by coach Dela Cruz led to his dismissal.
UST then sought a fresh start under Boy Sablan.
A Tumultuous Transition
The aftermath of the Bong Dela Cruz-UST saga left the team unprepared.
Losing key players Ferrer, Daquioag, and Abdul to graduation, the Growling Tigers managed only three wins out of 14 games in Season 79, recording their worst win-loss record in the Final Four era.
UST was unable to overcome Ateneo, suffering defeats in both rounds of Season 79 and continued to struggle in Season 80, culminating in a 17-game losing streak that extended into the current season.
This period marked UST’s worst finish in school history, surpassing its 2-12 record in 1989.
Unsurprisingly, Boy Sablan, who had another year on his contract, was terminated after compiling a dismal 4-24 record over two years as head coach.
UST then sought to revitalize its program by hiring two-time collegiate champion head coach Aldin Ayo.
Ayo’s Ascent and the Pandemic Plunge
Aldin Ayo’s tenure, which began in Season 81, faced a rocky start with key players suffering injuries.
Steve Akomo sustained a concussion, and CJ Cansino tore his left ACL, resulting in a fifth-place finish with a 5-9 record.
However, the Growling Tigers rebounded in Season 82, overcoming two do-or-die semifinal matches against UP to reach the finals.
Despite the talents of season MVP Soulemaine Chabi Yo, Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy, Rhenz Abando, and Cansino, Ateneo completed a 16-0 sweep to claim its second consecutive title led by Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, and Matt Nieto.
Though Ayo struggled against Ateneo in his first two years, the future looked promising with the core from Season 82 intact.
Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and UST faced further setbacks.
Cansino had been unexpectedly removed from the team, and UST was in a bubble training camp in Sorsogon since June of the same year.
Ayo resigned, and several key players, including Abando, Paraiso, and Nonoy, left the program.
The Tigers’ prospects seemed bleak.
The Tiger’s Fading Roar
Hope quickly faded as long-time assistant coach Jinino Manansala took over in Season 84.
The Tigers won only three games and suffered numerous blowout losses, including a 50-point defeat to Ateneo—the largest losing margin in league history since automated record-keeping began in 2003.
Manansala was relegated to UST’s high school basketball program, and lead assistant McJour Luib resigned.
Former Growling Tiger and Ginebra legend Bal David was then appointed head coach for Season 85.
However, David’s tenure was marked by disappointments, with the team only winning one game amidst the departure of key commitments and the ineligibility of veteran players.
David’s resignation allowed for a full-circle moment as Jarencio returned as head coach, the same coach who had previously led UST to a UAAP men’s basketball title in Season 69 (2006).
A Roar Reborn
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Pido Jarencio’s return in Season 86 faced challenges, including a 19-game losing streak and a 2-12 record.
However, Jarencio was determined to revamp the team, recruiting Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, Zain Mahmood, Amiel Acido, and Leland Estacio, while relying on mainstay Nic Cabanero.
Under Jarencio’s guidance, the Growling Tigers are now making a significant comeback.
With a 2-0 start in Season 87, UST is enjoying its best start in recent memory and has handed Tab Baldwin his first defeat with the team.
Despite this promising start, Jarencio remains cautious, urging the team to avoid complacency as they aim for a return to the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
“Malayo pa ito. Two games first round pa lang, ‘eh may second round pa ito. Pero kahit papaano, nakakakuha na kami ng panalo,” Jarencio said. “Para pagdating ng second round, mas lalong magbabakbakan yan, at least nakapondo na tayo ng panalo.
“Ang goal namin is one game at a time, makapasok ng Final Four. Yun muna kami.”
Will this be the year that UST contends with the UAAP’s top teams? Only time will tell.
