UAAP Final Four loss gives UST experience it needs moving forward

UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio remained in high spirits despite failing to steer the Growling Tigers to a do-or-die game against University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final Four.

UST saw its first Final Four appearance in five years come to an following a 78-69 loss to a more experienced UP side which booked its fourth consecutive finals appearance.

“This is a charge to our experience,” said Jarencio at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

“In all honesty, nobody in that squad played in the Final Four except for Forthsky (Padrigao). It’s new to them but we gave UP a great game.”

READ: UAAP: UP makes fourth straight finals, knocks off UST

Unfortunately for the Growling Tigers, Forthsky Padrigao got tossed after picking up his second unsportsmanlike foul with still over three minutes left in the game.

Still, Jarencio lauded his players for fighting hard against a formidable UP team led by Harold Alarcon.

“I’m glad because the kids fought. The important thing is, they played great despite us missing free throws, giving them second chance points and (Harold) Alarcon even exploded,” Jarencio said.

UST coach Pido Jarencio.–UAAP PHOTO

“Let’s give it to UP. They played well and they showed their experience of always being in the finals and the playoffs.”

Alarcon had 16 points while Francis Lopez also added 16 as the Fighting Maroons reached the championship round for the fifth time in six seasons.

READ: UAAP: Millora-Brown thrives in ‘scrappy’ Final Four win over UST

The troika of Kyle Paranada, Gelo Crisostomo and Nic Cabañero all dropped 12 points each in the loss.

“Di naman lahat instant,” said Jarencio, who also mentioned that UST will have about “four or five” recruits coming in for next season. “Especially in this era of basketball where everything’s changing. All of them (teams) develop, the level of competition rises but for us, we’ll just be consistent while the program continues and we’ll see how we are next year.”

Christian Manaytay, who had 10 points and eight rebounds, Chase Lane and Migs Pangilinan played their final game for UST.