Tigers: No reason to revile Daquioag

CENTER of the storm: Ed Daquioag managed just 4 points in Game 1.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas coach Bong dela Cruz thinks there’s no reason to pick on one player as the Tigers try to move on from their Game 1 loss in the UAAP men’s basketball championship.

Ed Daquioag drew flak for his poor form in UST’s loss to Far Eastern University, 75-64, but Dela Cruz expects his veteran guard to redeem himself in their bid to forge a Finals decider.

“He just needs to learn from that game,” said Dela Cruz. “Ed will bounce back, we know him. I have confidence in him last year, I still have confidence in him now.”

The Tigers hope to spoil the Tamaraws’ sweep bid in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Daquioag, who emerged as the Tigers’ surprise package this season, finished with just four points on a woeful 1-of-7 shooting before fouling out in the final minute of Game 1.

In the eliminations, Daquioag averaged 16.4 points, highlighted by a season-high 34, on top of 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists, helping him earn a spot in the Mythical Team.

“We’re not blaming anyone in the family,” Dela Cruz said of his Tigers, who call themselves “family” due to their tight-knit bonding.

Daquioag expects to flash his explosive form again and backstop the overworked duo of Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul.

The Tigers also got heavily beaten off the boards as the Tamaraws won the rebounding battle, 56-32.

“Of course I was frustrated; I wasn’t able to show my game,” Daquioag said in Filipino. “But coach said we still have Game 2; we can still work on our mistakes.”