Jittery UST edges Adamson in UAAP season opener

MANILA, Philippines – A jittery University of Santo Tomas (UST) team escaped with a 76-75 triumph against a likewise edgy Adamson University side at the start of the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. But for UST coach Pido Jarencio the victory is a testament that the Growling Tigers are beginning to evolve into a cohesive team despite of the fact that nine of his players are rookies. "Sabi ko sa inyo, dapat ding kaming paghandaan," said a beaming Jarencio during the post-game interview. “Nakadisgrasya na naman kami." The Growling Tigers indeed were just lucky to win the match that saw Adamson came back twice from a 13-point deficit, 66-53, in the third quarter before pulling within at 75-73 down the stretch. Helping UST escape were Roider Cabrera's three consecutive misses in the final 60 seconds of the fourth period, including a trey and two jumpers that could have either tied the match or gave the Falcons the lead. And after Leo Canuday of Adamson sank a two-pointer that tied the match at 75-all, Khasim Mirza split his charities with 2.3 seconds remaining to ensure the victory for the Growling Tigers. "Ganoon talaga eh, ang dami ko kasing rookies. Isa pa hindi kami active, passive kami. Kaya I told the boys magdesisyon agad kung titira o papasa," answered Jarencio when asked why his team was inconsistent resulting in the roller-coaster-like match. Despite this, Jarencio was happy that he has Mirza in his team to win their first game for them. "Mirza, (Dylan) Ababou, (Christopher) Camus are my main players now. Matibay-tibay na. Fortunna (Jeric) my point guard ay tumitibay na rin. So medyo lumalakas na ang team. Jarencio added that opening day jitters was the main culprit why his squad was not as consistent as many expected. "First game ito eh. Ang tagal naming hindi nakalaro sa ganito karaming tao," said Jarencio referring to the full-packed Araneta Coliseum. "Pero ang maganda rito, kami ang nanalo. Kahit na ano ang mangyari sa susunod naming laro, at least nakauna na kami ng panalo," said Jarencio. Meanwhile, defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles will start its title-retention campaign when they meet host Far Eastern U Tamaraws on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. also at the Araneta Coliseum. Blue Eagles mentor Norman Black said prior to the start of the season that they are ready to start a new chapter this year. "We don't dwell on the past," said Black during the press launching of the tournament a week ago. The Tamaraws, on the other hand, are raring to start their season after undergoing intense preparations this year. FEU reached the Final Four last year but bowed to De La Salle in their semifinal series. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV