The new-look UST Growling Tigers showed a lot of promise after dispatching the UE Red Warriors in their UAAP Season 87 opener.
After months of anticipation, the revamped UST Growling Tigers finally made their UAAP Season 87 debut with a convincing 70-45 victory over the UE Red Warriors.
It was UST’s first opening day win after two seasons, and their first over UE since the second round of UAAP Season 84. As they attempt to make a Final Four comeback, there’s a lot of promise to build on from today’s opener.
Nic Cabañero led UST with 14 points, who was followed by Tounkara’s 13 and Christian Manaytay’s 10 points. Meanwhile, Precious Momowei paced UE with a 12 point and 10 rebound double-double, while Ethan Galang followed with 11.
“First of all, happy ako dito sa first game namin. Ito ‘yung ‘breakout’ game namin eh. Masasabi ko, makuha lang namin ‘to, tas ‘yung confidence tataas. Tas kami naman, well-prepared kami, kasi ‘yung mga assistant coach ko scouting coach ‘yan sa mga teams nila eh…kaya well scouted, well prepared kami kaya I give credit where credit is due, sa mga coaching staff namin,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio.
“Tapos ‘yung mga players, they are so disciplined, and eto na! Eto na ‘yung team ko eh hanggang sa future. May dinadagdag lang kami.”
Here’s three takeaways from the game:
Mo Tounkara’s potential
It was days before Season 87 that UST finalized its foreign student-athlete in Mo Tounkara over Peter Osang.
And it was an impressive debut for the Malian big, who held his own against Season 86’s top FSA Momowei. Besides his offensive brilliance, Tounkara was also key in neutralizing Momowei throughout the contest.
UST’s last great FSA was Soulemane Chabi Yo in Season 82. But have they found another diamond in the rough with Tounkara?
“I mean, first of all, I’d like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to be here. Years ago, I wasn’t able [to play yet]. But this year, I thank God a lot for all this blessing on me and then also Coach Pido, all the staff also and management,” said Tounkara, who was recruited by UST in 2022.
But Tounkara knows it’s just the first out of 14 games for the season for UST.
“So we’re trying to look forward and build more chemistry in the team. That’s most important. We’re here to compete against ourselves first and against all the other teams. As Coach Pido said, we’re hungry, we want more. All of us.”
You can’t overstate Forthsky Padrigao’s value
Ace guard Forthsky Padrigao was as impactful as ever in his UAAP return. He only finished with five points, but also chipped in six rebounds, and seven assists. At the same time, Forthsky was a +21 plus-minus, further highlighting his on-court value.
But Padrigao’s excellence go beyond his numbers. The Mythical Five guard was making all the right reads and passes as he broke down UE’s defense. While the Tigers didn’t always convert, it was easy to see Padrigao’s playmaking brilliance all game.
There was also his vocal leadership during timeouts and as he motivated the other Tigers in-game.
Now on his third UAAP campaign, Padrigao simply wants to help UST restore a winning culture. A Mythical Five, he said, would just be an added bonus at this point.
“No need to showcase my talent. I just really want to help the team win kasi last two seasons, medyo talo standings namin. So we’re just trying to change that,” he said.
Defense showed potential
UE finished with a horrendous 28.6 percent shooting for today’s opener, or only 16 out of 56 field goals made. Besides personal struggles, the Tigers locked down UE for most of the game with reliable man-to-man coverage.
Momowei was neutralized by Tounkara, and lengthy holdovers like Christian Manaytay and Gelo Crisostomo. Likewise, it was through their coverage that UE committed 16 turnovers for the contest.
Up next for UST will be the Ateneo Blue Eagles. Right off the bat, it’s finally looking good in España after a share of dark days following the pandemic.
And for Jarencio, this is a byproduct of the UST Growling Tigers’ team effort, from management, to coaches, and their players.
“Itong players want to win. They’re sharing the ball. They play as a group. Tsaka importante ito, team ko na ito eh. Tsaka matagal na itong preparasyon namin. Kaya we’re ready. Mahabang season ito, pero for sure with the coaches that I have, we’ll be ready,” Jarencio said.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.