Former Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano proud to see UST’s success

Naveen Ganglani

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Former Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano proud to see UST’s success
Mariano also believes Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag can be first-round PBA draft picks after they finish their stints with UST

MANILA, Philippines – After sweeping their season series against the DLSU Green Archers, the UST Growling Tigers have raced off to a 7-1 start in the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball tournament, which as of Monday, October 12, is good enough for a tie with the FEU Tamaraws for first place atop the league standings.

UST’s impressive performance has been spearheaded by their veteran core, with two of those players – Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquiog – currently in the top 3 of the UAAP MVP race.

Though Aljon Mariano is no longer playing for UST, he says he’s still proud of their performance so far.

Speaking to the media at the NBA Store in Makati, the incoming 23-year-old PBA rookie said, “Syempre, nakakaproud, kasi nanduon pa yung mga kasabay ko talaga. Halos yung first 5, kasabay ko pa mga yun eh. Last year nila ngayon.”

(Of course, it makes me proud because the guys that are there were the ones with me. Their first 5, I was playing with them. It’s their last year now.)

Mariano, who was taken 16th overall by PBA franchise Barangay Ginebra in the league’s 2015 Draft, was a Growling Tiger from 2009-2014. During his stay in UST, the 6-foot-3 combo forward displayed the ability to score both inside and out, rebound, and play strong defense.

His versatility was key for the Growling Tigers, who made the UAAP finals while Mariano was in uniform both in 2012 and 2013.

Natutuwa talaga ako sakanila, lalo ni si Daquioag at si Kevin, kasi diba medyo galing silang injury? Tapos ngayon pinapakaita talaga nila na talaga sila yung leader sa team tsaka nananalo sila,” said Mariano.

(I’m really happy for them, especially Daquioag and Kevin, because they’re coming back from injuries, right? Now, they get to show that they’re really the leaders of the team, plus they’re winning.)

UST PROUD. Mariano (light center) was a huge part of the team's success over the past few years. File photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler

The former San Beda high school standout missed a shot at winning a title in his fifth year last season as both Ferrer and Daquioag recuperated from injuries. Although he averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds a contest, UST stumbled to a 5-9 record and missed the Final Four.

The Growling Tigers have already surpassed their win total from last season with a lot of basketball left to be played, and are in great position to end up with one of the top two twice-to-beat seeds for the playoffs.

(WATCH: Aljon Mariano: The missed shot)

Mariano believes his alma matter has a great chance to win the title.

Malaki yung chance kasi sobrang impact nila, lalo na yung first 5, talaga puro graduating na ata yun, yung first 5 nila – [Jan] Sheriff, [Louie] Vigil, Daquioag, [Ferrer], tsaka Karim [Abdul]. Graduating ata yung mga yun. So, syempre, iisa-isahin muna nila.

(There’s a good chance because their impact, especially the first 5, they’re really graduating players – Sheriff, Vigil, Daquioag, Ferrer, and Abdul. They’re graduating, so, of course, they’re taking it one game at a time.)

Sana mag tuloy-tuloy na,” Mariano said.

(Hopefully they go all the way.)

There’s a good likelihood Mariano’s hope takes place assuming Ferrer and Daquioag continue to perform at a high level.

Daquioag currently leads the UAAP in scoring with a career-high 19.1 points per game to go with 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists a contest, while Ferrer’s averaging a career-high 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per match.

Both guys are expected to declare for the 2016 PBA Draft, where Mariano is of the mindset they can be first-round selections.

Oo, kaya talaga mag first round, lalo na sa pinapakita nung dalawa ngayon,” he said, before later adding:

Sana magkasama parin kaming tatlo.”

(Yes, they can get picked in the first round, of course with how they’re playing right now.)

(Hopefully the 3 of us will still be together.)

– Rappler.com

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