Green means go

MANILA, Philippines – After half-time, with UST having a comfortable double-digit lead, my original copy read, “Animo La Salle? Green means go. Go USTe!” But we all know what happened.

I came from an era when the varsity team of the University of Santo Tomas was as lame as its name, The Glowing Goldies. It was an era when we were too embarrassed to wear the school’s PE shorts, which seemed suited for the Golden Girls. It was an era just before UST became the Growling Tigers, an era when we made collegiate basketball history with the first 4-peat in the UAAP.

I never went to the games when I was in college. I guess it was just as embarrassing as wearing our yellow short shorts in public. I don’t even remember UST’s line-up during my 4-year stay at the university. Although I remember having seen EJ Feihl a few times around campus. He was playing for the high school team, which was then called, The Golden Nuggets. Again, how lame is that? 

That time, I sure didn’t feel golden. Who wants to be called a Goldie? It sounds as old as the institution itself. Although UST’s 400-year history is something to be proud of, I think nobody wants to be called an “oldie,” especially when you’re still a teenager.

About 20 years since roaring as the Tigers, UST again made history by becoming the first 4th-seeded squad to beat the top-ranked team, ousting the NU Bulldogs in this year’s Final Four, to claw its way into the championship. The Tigers faced elimination thrice this season. We braved the storm. So to make it to the championship is already a feat on its own.

I may have not been there for UST 20 years ago, but I’ve always been proud of my stripes, my Tiger stripes. I now find myself at the MOA Arena, seeing a few old faces, and some other alumni I have met along the way. We may have lost. But we came out fighting. And we fought like Tigers. Go USTe! –Rappler.com
 

George P. Moya is an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas. He is a communications professional, creative writer, and freelance photographer.