‘Happier’ Comeback Cats out to pull off big fightback

KNOWN for their late comebacks, the University of Santo Tomas Tigers hope to complete the most important fightback of the season by rising from a 0-1 deficit in the UAAP men’s basketball finals.

Although league history still favors Game 1 winners, the Tigers can turn to an interesting statistic that boosts their badge as the “Comeback Cats.”

The team that won the opener of a best-of-three series bagged the crown in 15 of the last 21 seasons, or 71 percent of the time, since the league instituted the Final Four format in 1994.

But of the six comebacks, half were accomplished by the Tigers.

Veterans Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag and Karim Abdul believe the Tigers can pull off another improbable run after their come-from-behind 62-56 Game 2 victory that forged a do-or-die title showdown versus Far Eastern University.

“The team already gained momentum,” said Daquioag. “We’ll just follow coach’s game plan.”

Game 3 is set at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

In their last title romp under coach Pido Jarencio in 2006, the Tigers rose from a 0-1 deficit versus the heavily favored Ateneo Blue Eagles to clinch the crown.

The Tigers also completed the feat in the 1994 and 1995 title duels, both against the La Salle Green Archers.

In the last two seasons, Game 1 losers La Salle and National University also wound up winning the championship.

For UST coach Bong dela Cruz, the turnaround happened when the Tigers put enjoyment back in their game.

“In Game 1, we were too tight,” Dela Cruz said of their setback, 64-75. “So now even in practice, we tell them to smile, be happy and to enjoy this series.”