THE TWO new captains of the UST Growling Tigers are faced with the daunting task of providing leadership to a team experiencing a 20-year title drought.
The España-based squad established itself as a legitimate title contender last season, mounting an impressive run behind the leadership of Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Kyle Paranada.
However, the Tigers’ campaign came to an end after they bowed to the UP Fighting Maroons in the Final Four, a sad ending to the Cabañero era.
With the departure of several key players, Tigers co-captains and graduating seniors Gelo Crisostomo and Mark Llemit are taking on a greater responsibility in the younger squad.
“For the team, the two years that we entered the Final Four, we weren’t really satisfied. It felt unfinished. We want to get into the Finals,” Llemit said in an interview with The Flame.
For the veteran shooting guard, his task is not about replacing the names that came before him, but about ending the title drought.
“Our mindset is always one game at a time, but that’s our goal: to win the championship this season,” he added.
With Season 88 Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe anchoring the frontcourt, the Tigers continue to have a reliable presence in the paint. Akowe averaged 16.4 points, 14.5 rebounds in his first season.
The veteran captains are also supported by juniors Amiel Acido, Ice Danting, and sophomores Koji Buenaflor, Carl Manding and Charles Bucsit.
Crisostomo knows that the intensity of the UAAP and the pressure that comes with suiting up for the black and gold is not easy, especially for the younger Tigers.
“With Mark and me as the captains, our role is to take care of our teammates,” Crisostomo said.
The 6-foot-5 big man understands that their role extends beyond their performance on the court.
“As seniors, we always tell the rookies that whatever happens, we’ll guide them. If our coaches get mad at them, we tell them to just give their best and focus on the game,” he added.
The title-hungry Tigers are heading into the season with plenty of momentum after a successful preseason campaign.
Whether such experiences are enough to bring back the crown last seen in España in 2006 remains to be seen. The Thomasian cagers, nevertheless, treated every game played during the offseason as a preparation for the UAAP.
The arrival of recruits including one-and-done’s Landyn Jumawan, Lorenzo Abellar, and Donovan Sevilla, along with former Tiger Cubs Kirk Cañete and Charles Esteban solidified the roster.
Junior guard Amiel Acido sees the new faces as a great addition to a team striving to improve itself every UAAP season.
“We treat each other equally, even if we’re seniors, we still respect them. That’s why I’m really grateful [for the efforts] they pour out every game,” Acido said.
He cited the importance of developing chemistry and learning how to close games together.
“There were times when we seemed to lose our composure during the endgame, so that’s what we’ve been trying to improve—how we can work together on the court and win games,” the junior guard said.
The UST Growling Tigers will look to avenge their semifinals loss to the UP Fighting Maroons when they open their campaign on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. F – with reports from Joshua Louis Sumanghid and Kurt Andre Trinidad
