UAAP Season 80 Preview: University of
Santo Tomas Growling Tigers
by rick olivares
For all the on and off-court
challenges of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers heading into this
season, they will compete.
Like UE, they are flying under
the radar. And that might help them because with expectations not at a high,
they could pull some surprises here and there. It will allow them to a certain
extent to perform.
What makes that possible is they
have some very good pieces on this team. Shooting guard Jordan Sta. Ana is a
huge addition after he transferred from UE. He will eventually become this
team’s King Tiger as he can score and is fearless. We saw that when he played in
high school for Colegio de San Benildo in Antipolo and later National
University who recruited him after spotting him in the MMBL and the NBTC.
And there’s Steve Akomo who will
give UST a rim protector and a scoring force inside. His presence should allow
the graduating Jeepy Faundo to strut his stuff after teasing through the years
with some huge dunks.
These two were crucial to UST’s
summer campaign. And if it all works out, Sta. Ana and Akomo will also leave
room for Regie Boy Basibas and Justin Araña. And if Marvin Lee decides he’d
rather play basketball than engage in roughhousing, then these Growling Tigers
could compete.
It’s also good to see Zach Huang
get some major minutes in the pre-season. He is the type of mobile forward who
doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. And he rediscovers his medium range jumper
that worked for him while in high school for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de
Cebu, he will really open things up for UST.
This is a team in transition as
the holdovers from their last title appearance have slowly graduated. Some of
the players struggled with major minutes after years of sitting on the bench.
But the time between the summer leagues and the UAAP is time enough to develop.
That they picked up a tournament trophy in the provinces shows signs of
potential.
If this team can pick up some
early wins that will boost their confidence.
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