Loss to NU fueled strong first round finish for UST, says Daquioag

UST Growling Tigers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas stands among the league leaders at the end of the first round of the UAAP Season 78 with a 6-1 card.

The Growling Tigers could have had a flawless record, but Alfred Aroga and the National University Bulldogs stood in the way.

But UST star guard Ed Daquioag was actually thankful in a way for the Tigers’ lone loss so far.

“If it wasn’t for our loss against NU, we wouldn’t be like this,” Daquioag said Wednesday after UST’s hardfought 83-76 win University of the East at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“That was the wakeup call. We kind of relaxed but the loss brought us into this.”

Through out the run, Daquioag has made it a habit to carry the team especially in crunch time.

“I know I have to take over, in this game Kevin [Ferrer] was in foul trouble and I knew I had to step up,” Daquioag said. “And coach told me to take the ball especially in the end game.”