UAAP Season 79 Preview: UST Growling Tigers | ABS-CBN

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UAAP Season 79 Preview: UST Growling Tigers

UAAP Season 79 Preview: UST Growling Tigers

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

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Louie Vigil will be UST's team captain in Season 79. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – Fresh off another Finals appearance, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers found themselves mired in controversy that eventually led to the departure of coach Bong dela Cruz.

Season 78 record: 11-3

Season 78 summary: The UST Growling Tigers were one of the surprises of Season 78. Tipped to be a Final Four contender, thanks to a veteran cast, they surpassed expectations to take the No. 1 seed at the end of the elimination round and went all the way to the finals.

There, they found themselves matched against preseason favorite Far Eastern University. After losing Game 1 of the best-of-three series, they relied on an explosive performance by Kevin Ferrer to force a Game 3, but faded down the stretch of the deciding game to lose in heartbreaking fashion.

Ferrer and Ed Daquioag established themselves as two of the best wing players in the UAAP last season, while Karim Abdul remained reliable, and Marvin Lee and Louie Vigil showed flashes of potential.

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However, a controversial off-season ensued for the Tigers, which eventually led Coach Bong dela Cruz to leave the team. He was replaced by Boy Sablan in May.

Key losses: Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, Karim Abdul, Coach Bong dela Cruz

Key returnees: Marvin Lee, Kent Lao, Louie Vigil

Key additions: Coach Boy Sablan, Jon Macasaet, Reggie Basibas

Projection: The truth is that it will be tough for UST to make up for the production of Ferrer and Daquioag, who provided a bulk of their scoring and shot-creation, as well as that of Abdul, who even in his final year in the league was a double-double threat every game.

Kent Lao, who played as an undersized big man for most of Season 78, will be tasked to carry an even bigger load this time around, as will newly installed team captain Louie Vigil, who was mostly asked to be a spark off the bench last season.

After a promising rookie year, Marvin Lee will have to prove that he can be more consistent this time around. UST also hopes to get strong seasons from some of their comebacking players, including Jon Macasaet and Reggie Basibas. New center William Afoakwah will also be expected to contribute immediately as he takes Karim Abdul's place as their main man in the middle.

What they said: "Pagbalik ko sa UST, unang kita sa akin ni Coach (Boy Sablan), sinabi niya agad, I have a purpose here, and he has a purpose also. Siguro, magcha-champion na 'yung team. He's not like every other coach na nagsasabi na Final Four muna. Straight to the point, sinabi n'ya sa akin – maglalaro ka, kailangan mag-champion." – Louie Vigil

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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