Tigers aim to keep roaring

Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

3 p.m. — UST vs UE

5:30 p.m. — FEU vs La Salle

University of Santo Tomas (UST) hunts for a second straight win and a share of the early lead when it squares off with a hard-luck University of the East (UE) side in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Regaining their confidence coming off a bounce back win, the Growling Tigers charge back into action in the 3 p.m. curtain-raiser.

UST is in a four-way tie with defending champion De La Salle University, Far Eastern University (FEU) and Adamson University, holding identical 1-1 win-loss slates.

Bunched on top of the standings are idle National University, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines.

The Tigers rediscovered their winning ways with a morale-boosting 80-75 victory over the Green Archers two weeks ago.

Despite the advantage in momentum and firepower, UST head coach Pido Jarencio is keeping his team grounded against the embattled Red Warriors, who have lost all three games of the season and are dealing with a major coaching shakeup.

“Many are just saying we have a strong team, but we’re not. We just got lucky beating La Salle, but we’re not as strong as what others say,” Jarencio quipped.

“We just work as a team and as one unit. Through that you can say we’re strong, but if we get individualistic and not on the same page, then we’ll get nowhere.”

UST is coming off a long break and will have Koji Buenaflor back following a fourth-place finish in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men’s 3x3 basketball.

Unfortunately, the Tigers will be playing sans Gelo Crisostomo after suffering a partial anterior cruciate ligament sprain in his right knee. He is expected to be out for at least a month.

Still, the Espana-based squad remains armed to the teeth with Amiel Acido, Season 88 Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe, who had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds last game, Landyin Jumawan and Mark Llemit.

On the other hand, UE continues to scramble for ways to break an already three-year losing slump.

The Red Warriors are on a 23-game skid since Season 87. Compounding the team’s misery is its sudden adjustment after Chris Gavina resigned as coach last Friday, leaving a bleeding UE under interim coach Paulo Hubalde.

The squad was crushed by FEU, 70-93, last Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Tamaraws eye back-to-back wins against the rebound-seeking Green Archers at 5:30 p.m.

FEU recovered from an opening-day loss to Adamson by venting its ire on UE.

On the other hand, La Salle seeks to get back on the winning track after a stinging loss before the break.

Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo will be back for the Green Archers after representing the country in the Asiad 3x3 competition.