By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of Santo Tomas remained optimistic that the squad can turn its season around despite absorbing its fourth straight loss in the UAAP Season 86 of the men’s basketball tournament.
The once hopeful start to the season with the return of head coach Pido Jarencio has now become fairly dispirited.
With another lopsided defeat, this time against National University, 87-69, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Growling Tigers absorbed their 17-game losing streak dating from the previous season.
After a forgettable last placed finish in Season 85 with a 1-13 record, UST is hopeful it can find the antidote to its “illness” sooner to remedy its situation.
If not, the Tigers are in for another embarrassing finish especially after embracing the tag as one of the teams to beat.
“I don’t think it’s the time to press the panic button yet. Honestly, I still believe in the team, especially our players who are playing. The only problem lang is the shot not calling lang. I think eventually makakabutas din kami. Hopefully, iyong mga Thomasian community will have patience on us,” said UST assistant coach Japs Cuan.
For big man Christian Manaytay, who delivered a near double-double performance of 18 points and nine rebounds in the losing cause, the team’s morale is definitely running low.
However, it is the coaching staff’s positive outlook that keeps the team from being completely demoralized.
“Sieympre 0-4 pa rin kami. Wala pa kaming panalo since last season, so sieympre mababa iyong morale. Mga coaches naman especially coach Pido (Jarencio) helping us think of the positive side. Wag namin isipin iyong mga sagabal kasi we are going to the next game naman. After this, past na to. To the next game dapat positive na. Pag inisip pa namin to, lalo kaming tatambakan ng negative thoughts so lalo kaming maaapektuhan.
“So credit to the coaches para keep our heads up high at hindi kami masyado ma-down,” Manaytay said.
One reason why the Tigers are still struggling is the continued absence of big man Adame Faye who is nursing a back injury.
But as the saying goes, be careful when playing against a “wounded tiger.”
