The fourth-seeded University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are in high spirits going into their stepladder semifinal playoffs.
Coach Aldin Ayo said many of the players contributed well considering that they lack ceiling in the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
“‘Yung mga small men namin, we already have Mark, we already have Rhenz, and the rest of the guys. Materyales. The system is in place, but kung may maidadagdag na mga malalaki, mas maigi sa program namin,” said Ayo before their 4 p.m. showdown with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers, who went beyond expectations this season, come into the fight with big man Soulemane Chabi Yo holding his ground in the shaded lanes.
But talented shooters like Mark Nonoy, Rhenz Abando, Brent Paraiso and Renzo Subido would most likely create opportunities to propel the Tigers in the second phase of the playoffs against the second-seeded University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The Tams, on the other hand, are not expected to go down that easy.
Team effort and individual talent have given the Far Eastern University Tamaraws a big fighting chance.
FEU coach Olsen Racela believes so as the Tams will be banking on their experience in playing in the semis for seven straight seasons.
“It just shows the collective effort that we put in dito sa FEU, tulungan kami,” said Racela.
FEU is again in the semis after routing University of the East, 82-58 two weeks ago.
The Tams’ seventh straight semis appearance is considered the longest active streak in the UAAP.
While the Tams don’t have any dominant player, Racela said the team excels in defense, only allowing teams to score an average of 65.93 points per game— second best in the league.
The downside is the Tams have the lowest average output this season with their average of 68.43 points.
