ALJON Mariano (right) is one of UST’s vital cogs. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio doesn’t mind if his Tigers go through another thriller as long as they survive in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament today.
The Tigers, coming off a double-overtime escape, hope to pick up a fourth straight victory against the winless University of the East Warriors at 4 p.m. as the league resumes with a doubleheader at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
La Salle and Adamson, both aiming to snap out of a losing spell, kick off the action at 2 p.m. a week after the league canceled two playdates due to inclement weather.
“Our three wins were all decided in the endgame,” said Jarencio. “I think it’s good because it shows our team doesn’t give up.”
The Tigers survived a double-overtime thriller against La Salle, 84-82, last week where Aljon Mariano came through in every crucial stretch.
Before that, the Tigers also pulled off come-from-behind victories against four-time champion Ateneo (71-70) and National University (77-71).
Another win will give the Tigers solo third behind Ateneo and Far Eastern University, the finalists last season who share the top spot at 5-1.
“We want to stay close behind the leaders,” said Jarencio, who’s also relying on Jeric Teng, Clark Bautista, Jeric Fortuna and Karim Abdul.
The Green Archers, meanwhile, try to arrest a three-game skid with LA Revilla, Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres after a promising 2-0 start.
But the Falcons, already struggling with a 1-3 record, face a bigger problem as main man Alex Nuyles is out for the rest of the season due to injury.
Nuyles—a Mythical Team member last year who averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists—dislocated his right shoulder during the Falcons’ 62-77 loss to National University last Sunday.
Adamson coach Leo Austria, though, remains optimistic.
“We know what Alex brings to the team, but we expect those filling his position to step up,” said Austria.