THE University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are looking not only to extend their win streak to six, but more importantly, earn the first Final Four spot when they take on the embattled Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. today in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigers again climbed into a tie with idle Far Eastern University Tamaraws for the top spot (8-1), following their vengeful 65-57 victory over the National University Bulldogs last Saturday.
But UST coach Bong Dela Cruz said the Tigers need to outdo themselves every game from hereon.
“Every practice, every game, we must improve. ‘Yun ang target namin, one game at a time,” said Dela Cruz.
In the other match, the defending champions Bulldogs will try to to arrest a three-game slide when they battle last-place Adamson in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m.
The Growling Tigers will again rely on their Big 3 of Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag and Karim Abdul, and scoring support from Louie Vigil and Marvin Lee.
But the Blue Eagles, who are coming off an 87-72 win behind Kiefer Ravena’s near triple-double over the Adamson Falcons to improve to 5-4, will be standing on the way of the Tigers.
With Ravena regaining his shooting touch, the Eagles will be tough to beat.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo management suspended reserve player John Apacible for the remainder of the season after he was identified as the drunk man seen recently in a video that went viral.
Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo said Apacible will be barred from attending the games and practices of the Blue Eagles because of the incident.
“Yes, (Apacible is suspended) for the rest for the regular season,” said Quimpo in a message to The Standard.
Quimpo said, however, that is up to coach Bo Perasol if he will field Apacible if they make it to the Final Four, and if Apacible is ready.
Quimpo said Apacible’s action “will not be tolerated.”
In the video, a drunk Apacible was caught having an altercation with a fellow driver, while bragging of his ‘Councilor’ special plate.
The incident led to a commotion on Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
Apacible later apologized to the whole team following the incident, according to Ateneo board representative Em Fernandez.
“John deeply regrets his behavior and sincerely apologizes to all parties concerned,” Fernandez said.