Tigers try to tighten grip on lead, face winless champs

Ed Daquioag, Kevin Ferrer and Louie Vigil. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

As the surprise leader, University of Santo Tomas has been expecting every opponent to go tough on its Tigers.

But defending champion National University may go extra hard against the Tigers at Mall of Asia Arena Saturday as the Bulldogs still have to nail their first win three games into the UAAP men’s basketball season.

“We can’t be overconfident because they’re the defending champions; they still have that pride to win,” UST coach Bong dela Cruz said of the Bulldogs, whose title defense hit an alarming 0-3 start.

The Tigers go for a fourth straight victory versus the Bulldogs at 4 p.m., right after Ateneo and University of the East fight to extend their winning run to three in the 2 p.m. first game.

As unexpected as the Tigers’ rise is the emergence of overlooked guard Ed Daquioag, who is averaging a team-best 24.3 points. The gung-ho swingman has been the key for the Tigers in their first three victories.

“It’s good that we’re ahead, but we have a long way to go in the tournament,” said Dela Cruz.

While everything seems to go the Tigers’ way, nothing has gone right for the Bulldogs.

NU coach Eric Altamirano, though, remains optimistic his Bulldogs can bounce back, even after their grueling double overtime loss to the Blue Eagles, 74-70, last Wednesday.

“As long as we still have games to play, there’s still hope,” said Altamirano as his Bulldogs stayed at the cellar with idle Adamson.

Altamirano said the Bulldogs must learn how to cope whenever big man Alfred Aroga steps out of the court.

“It’s hard whenever Alfred is not around. We were out-rebounded,” said Altamirano. “Aroga fouled out in two games already. We just have to see what we can do to correct that.” With a report from Jun Veloira