Tigers hope to clinch UAAP crown on third try

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas stars Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul hope third time’s a charm as the Tigers make another attempt at UAAP glory in the Season 78 men’s hoops finale against Far Eastern U starting tomorrow.

The Tigers fell short twice before, losing to powerhouse Ateneo in the tail-end of the Blue Eagles’ five-peat dynasty in Season 75, then bowing to La Salle in a tightly fought three-game series the following year.

“Sobrang gigil kami kasi last year na namin. Gagawin namin ang best namin, maglalaro kami buong family (We’re very determined to go all the way this year, considering it’s our final playing year. We’ll give it our best),” Ferrer said after UST dethroned National U, 64-55, to reach the finals for the third time in the last four years.

“This time, I think we’re really ripe; we’re really more mature And the way this family is playing now, it’s really gonna be different,” said Abdul.

As eager to strike gold are the Tams, who themselves missed the crown after falling to the Bulldogs in three last year.

“Sabik na sabik na kami kasi ito na talaga ang last chance namin; pag hindi pa namin nakuha, wala na kaming chance na mag-champion pa sa UAAP (We can’t wait to play for the title. This is our last chance to win the championship in the UAAP),” said FEU veteran Roger Pogoy, one of the Tams’ graduating players.

The top-seeded Tigers and the No. 2 Tams will begin their best-of-three duel for the vacant crown at the MOA Arena.

Although UST swept FEU in two meetings in the elims, fans expect the title series to be a close one.

“For me, it’s dead even. Both are veteran teams, they know how to play in the championship and they have players in every position,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano, assessing how the battle for the Bulldogs’ successor will go.

“I think it will boil down to whoever can assert themselves. We know FEU is an offensive team and UST loves to use their length to play defense. It’s gonna be an interesting championship. I think they both deserve to be in the finals,” he added.