Growling Tigers, Tams clash for UAAP crown, bound for glory

MANILA, Philippines - On one side is a team seeking to strike gold after wasting its chance last year. On the other stands a squad looking to hit paydirt after two previous failed tries.

Far Eastern U, the 2014 runner-up, and University of Santo Tomas, bridesmaid in 2012 and 2013, go for glory and redemption in an epic you-or-me battle for the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball crown today before an expected full house at the MOA Arena.

At the top the food chain all season long, the Tams and the Tigers have engaged in an explosive championship duel between two sides equally determined to reach the summit and exorcise the ghost of recent failures.

The No. 2 Tamaraws scored a 75-64 rout in the opener then the top-ranked Tigers countered with a 62-56 win to set up the 3:30 p.m. battle for the marbles.

“All-out na ito, wala nang ititira, wala nang itatagong lakas kasi andito na tayo, one game na lang (We’re going all-out and giving everything we’ve got for there’s no more tomorrow),” said UST star Kevin Ferrer who shot the lights out with a 29-point performance Saturday.

Game Two’s result put the Tams in the exact standing as they were in the Season 77 finals that they eventually lost to National U. But they vowed to chart a different course and make it a happy ending this time around.

“Same scenario up to this point but we’re looking at a different outcome today,” said FEU coach Nash Racela.  

He expressed confidence his wards can recover from their dismal shooting last game and be at their best again in the decider. “For sure there’s a bit of frustration sa players, that’s understandable. But again, the bigger question is what do you do after? Again, I’m confident with my team, they could bounce back.”

Mike Tolomia, who shot bricks in Game Two, seeks to regain his touch and join hands with fellow veterans Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, Alfrancis Tamsi and Russel Escoto in giving FEU its first crown since 2005 before graduating.

As motivated to leave a legacy and hand UST its first diadem since 2006 are Ferrer, Karim Abdul and Ed Daquioag, who are suiting up one last time.

“Lahat gusto na kunin ang championship so magiging physical game. Mag-boil down iyan sa mental toughness (Everyone is determined to clinch the crown so it’s going to be physical. I think it will boil down to mental toughness in the end),” said Daquioag, whose team aims to become the seventh crew to come back from a 0-1 deficit and win the crown in the Final Four era.

Stats from the two games showed FEU dominating the board with an average of 55.5 rebounds against UST’s 37. The Tams also enjoyed a whopping edge on the offensive glass, 18.5 versus 9.

However, the Tams have shown their tendency to turn the ball over, averaging 19 errors an outing which leads to 10.5 points for the Tigers.

“At this point, everybody’s tired. Mental toughness ang kailangan at the end of the day,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz, also instructing his “family” to have a happy disposition and enjoy playing.

“I’m confident they’ll settle down a bit. It’s do-or-die on Wednesday. If everybody could play 40 minutes, then they play 40 minutes,” said Racela.

If the Tams win, they will cement their status as the UAAP’s most decorated team with 20 crowns overall. If the Tigers prevail, UST will tie FEU at No. 1 with 19 diadems.