Road to the Finals: Wounded UST rises to the top

MANILA, Philippines — Just when everyone in yellow at the Mall of Asia Arena was in a frenzy celebrating University of Santo Tomas’ win over National University, the man who made it all possible did not look like the witty and jovial coach that he is.

He was deep in tears and out of words.

Even still with 14 seconds to go, UST coach Pido Jarencio looked up the scoreboard and succumbed to manly tears. They were up by 3 possessions. They were 14 seconds away from the Finals.

The Growling Tigers went on to win that game 76-69 and booted the Bulldogs out of Finals contention to become the first fourth-seeded team ever to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage and advance to the final dance.

And just as in every postgame press conference, the winning coach and the best player have to go straight to the pressroom to entertain some questions from the press.

Jarencio – who is known to respond to interviews with colorful answers – however could not hold back his tears this time. The laughs and the wisecracks were gone and the long-time Tigers mentor had to walk out in the middle of the TV interview.

One statement was all he could only muster.

“Di ko talaga akalain na aabot pa kami,” Jarencio, who has been coaching UST in the past 8 seasons, said in between sobs. “Maraming taong nagduda sa kakayanan ko.”

And for someone who already dismissed this season as a disappointing one midway through the second round, making it to the Finals would be such a pleasant bolt from the blue.

‘Sana makatsamba’

With just 4 games left in the eliminations, the Growling Tigers were sitting perilously at 6^th in the standings with only 5 wins in 10 games to show. Although they were finally able to snap out of a three-game skid at the expense of Adamson University, Jarencio was facing injury woes with 6 of his players hurt.

“Talagang disappointing year ito dahil sa injuries,” he told the press a month ago. “Mahirap ang sitwasyon namin ngayon, sana makatsamba at pumasok pa ng Final Four.”

And true enough, UST had to go through a tough Season 76 homestretch as they were yet to face Far Eastern University, UP, La Salle, and Ateneo.

Of their last 4 games, 3 of their opponents were battling it out for the right to enter the Final Four. They had to go through the Tamaraws in double overtime, and as expected, they cruised through the Fighting Maroons. It was enough leverage for the España crew to believe that they can still make it after all.

Their loss in their penultimate match against De La Salle however set them back in the race as NU and FEU secured the first two berths in the semifinals. That forced them in a do-or-die matchup against 5-peat champion Ateneo in the last day of the eliminations.

Nerves of steel

In Jarencio’s 8 years mentoring the Growling Tigers, he has brought the España-based squad to two finals appearances, going on to win the title in 2006 before getting blanked by the Blue Eagles in last year’s series. But before he made his 3rd finals return official, Jarencio and his boys had to go through 3 nerve-wracking no-tomorrow matches and promptly won them all.

In the last day of the elims, UST’s mental toughness was tested early – just in time for the playoffs – as they erected a big lead over the reigning champs at halftime, only to see it vanish into thin air.

Slowly but surely, Ateneo chipped UST’s lead off and turned an 18-point deficit into a 3-point lead late in the 3rd period. Fortunately for the Tigers, Clark Bautista clicked at the right time, sinking two triples in crunchtime as Jeric Teng knocked down 5 crucial free throws that spelled the difference between Final Four and final game. In the end, UST won 82-74, kicking the Blue Eagles out of the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and assuring that Season 76 will see a different champion for the first time in 6 years.

The Growling Tigers entered the semifinals versus NU towing the finals experience that the Bulldogs lack but facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage against a team that possessed two-time MVP Bobby Ray Parks and dynamic big man Jean Mbe.

Hell-bent to post no less than a win, the Growling Tigers once again delivered as they demolished NU, 71-62 to live another day for a winner-take-all semis Game 2.

It was Kevin Ferrer, Bautista, and Aljon Mariano this time who formed UST’s 3-pronged attack as they all finished in double-digits.

‘Destined’

With the playing field between them and the Bulldogs even, UST then roared its way back to the finals as they once again denied NU their first slot in the finals since 1970.

Teng, who will be facing his brother Jeron in the Finals, spearheaded UST with 19 points as Ferrer added 18 while limiting Parks to zero points in the final quarter.

With Jarencio speechless in the press room, Ferrer summed up what their Season 76 campaign is all about.

“Sabi nga nila, history ito. Ang masasabi ko lang, destiny ito para sa amin,” the 6-foot-4 UST forward said.

By overcoming National U in two grueling semis games, UST have already made it to the pages of UAAP’s history books. But the season is not yet over. They have at least two games remaining to once again rewrite history and they will hope that they are in the better side of it. – Rappler.com