Patrimonio’s presence boosts UST Tigers’ morale

MANILA, Philippines – Having PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio as mentor is lifting the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers‘ morale and confidence, head coach Bong dela Cruz said. 

The Tigers are in the thick of preparations for upcoming UAAP Season 78 and have enlisted the help of 4-time PBA MVP and Star Hotshots team manager Alvin Patrimonio. He hasn’t taken on an official assistant coach role yet, Dela Cruz said, due to his commitment with the Hotshots, but is devoting his spare time training UST. 

“Presence pa lang tulong na sa mga bata yan (His presence alone already helps the players),” Dela Cruz said, explaining to Rappler the significance of having Patrimonio around for almost 3 weeks already. 

“He gives advice. Yung mga natutunan niya when he was playing, tinuturo niya sa mga bata. Sabi niya nga it’s time na mag-give back siya ng mga natutunan niya sa mga bata.”

(He shares with the players what he learned when he was still playing. He mentioned it was time to give back what he learned to the young players.) 

Patrimonio is specifically teaching the Tigers post play, not only for big men but for everyone. Dela Cruz said this is not indicative of UST veering away from the running game it is used to. 

“Running game pa rin siyempre,” he explained. “Yun ang gusto namin pero pag dating siyempre sa half court we need someone sa post. Hindi lang sa outside. Kailangan ma-develop yun.” 

(It’s still a running game of course. That’s what we want but when it comes to half court we need someone at the post. Not just outside shooters. They have to develop that.) 

Making a difference

Center Karim Abdul, who is playing in his final year for UST this season, is absorbing Patrimonio’s rich wisdom like a sponge. 

“We learned a lot. Through his experience he’s giving us a lot of tips and he’s giving us some details on how to move and giving us some steps on what to do in certain situations,” he told Rappler. 

Abdul admitted he heard of Patrimonio before but was not very familiar with the way he played. He observed Patrimonio, who is part of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, to be “very simple” and “humble” in dealing with the Tigers despite his accomplishments. 

“[What he teaches is] going to help a lot and it will make a difference from what we did before,” said Abdul, who has been part of the UAAP’s Mythical 5 every year since Season 75. 

“For me personally, he’s given me a lot of help to really make a difference in certain situations.” 

Dela Cruz said the team is working with the time Patrimonio can give them and the former Purefoods star may join the Tigers’ bench during games if his schedule permits. 

The team, who will be going to Subic over the weekend, lost veterans Aljon Mariano, Kim Lo and Paulo Pe to graduation. Left behind to lead is Gilas cadet Kevin Ferrer backed by Abdul, Ed Daquioag, and Renzo Subido. 

UST is vying for a return trip to the Final Four after striking out last season with a 5-9 win-loss record. Before Season 77, they were back-to-back finalists. 

“Maganda naman preparation namin this season,” Dela Cruz said. “Siguro mas competitive, mas prepared and mas organized kami ngayon compared to last season.” (Our preparation is good this season. I think we’re more competitive, better prepared and more organized compared to last season.) – Rappler.com