Ed Daquioag, Kevin Ferrer and Louie Vigil. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas coach Bong dela Cruz thinks his players’ tight bond has been the key in the Tigers’ surprise run in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
And he hopes it will again come into play when the Tigers target a share of the lead versus La Salle at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“We’re not a team, we’re a family right now,” said Dela Cruz. “The boys are bonding very well. The leadership of Kevin (Ferrer) is good.”
The Tigers’ latest victim was Ateneo, which will try to rebound from the painful setback against the skidding University of the Philippines at 2 p.m.
What looked like a won game turned disastrous for the Blue Eagles as the Tigers rallied from 16 points down for a 68-58 reversal last Saturday.
“Our veterans have been a great help,” said Dela Cruz after Ferrer, despite battling fever, dropped a career-high 27 points against the Eagles.
“Everyone’s stepping up and everyone wants to win.”
Another victory will give the Tigers a share of the lead with idle Far Eastern University at 5-1.
Although the meltdown looked worrisome, Ateneo coach Bo Perasol thinks the Eagles—still in a tie for third place with the Archers at 3-2—should just move forward.
“It’s early [in the season] and we’re still in the middle of the pack,” said Perasol. “We know we can have a good first round. All the teams are playing well, so we need to step it up.”
La Salle coach Juno Sauler, who watched how the Tigers shocked the Eagles, hopes his Archers have learned from that match.
“UST is a strong team,” said Sauler. “They just keep fighting. They gave a great game against Ateneo.” With a report from Jun Veloira