"A cute, fluffy tiger lazily licks its claws and wags its tail in satisfaction. It clears its throat and coughs out a blue feather."
How 'bout them Cardiac Cats!
Congratulations to the UST Growling Tigers, the 2006 UAAP Men's Basketball Champions. What an amazing season it was!
I have to admit, I'm very impressed what they did this season. Nobody, and I mean nobody, including myself, knew they would get this far. I actually would've been contented if they made the Final Four. Even a lot of people expect them to miss the Final Four, especially after a 2-5 start, tied for worst in the league.
But rookie coach Alfredo "Pido" Jarencio gathered his boys and charged right back into contention, winning 4 of their last 5 elimination games to finish with a 6-6 record, good enough to earn them a ticket to the Final Four.
First, they had to beat Adamson to get the #3 spot and face UE, who had the twice-to-beat advantage. And just like that, two nail-biting wins over the Warriors, including an 82-81 win in the do-or-die game, which gave them the right to face the ADMU Blue Eagles, who were heavily-favored to win the UAAP title before the season started.
After suffering a heart-breaking Game 1 loss which saw the UST defense collapse in the final second of the game, everyone thought the Tigers won't be able to bounce back from that devastating loss. Everyone thought the championship's on its way to Loyola. Everyone thought it's all over.
Everyone except the UST Growling Tigers.
UST came back with a vengeance by crushing ADMU in Game 2, setting up a do-or-die, winner-take-all Game 3.
And Game 3 was an absolute classic.
Down by 5 with less than 90 seconds remaining in regulation, the Tigers fought back, thanks to an Espiritu three, a Canlas putback, and a defensive stop to force overtime.
In the overtime period, even if Allan Evangelista and Jervy Cruz have fouled out earlier, the Tigers persevered. Jojo Duncil delivered the goods, and when it's all said and done, the Tigers are back on top, winning their first UAAP Men's Basketball crown since 1996.
How sweet it is!
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Anyways, here's a post of one PExer (Altwegg) who's also a good friend of mine and a fellow Thomasian who watched Game 3 live at the Araneta Coliseum:
"Thank you, Lord!"
These were the first words that came out of my mouth after UST's stunning victory over heavily-favored AdMU. It was mayhem at Upper A as the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the series and the start of UST's journey back into her glory days. The God of all nations made this possible and it is fitting to give everything back to Him.
Thanking the Lord was my instant reaction to UST's surprising rise to supremacy. A day later, after euphoria has set in, there are a lot of people to thank to for this wonderful achievment.
Thank you, Growling Tigers. This triumph means so much to me. I shared with you our sweet victories in the Golden Days of the 90s. I was most proud when everybody looked up to our dominance in college basketball. It also inflicted great pain to me seeing the once proud and might Tigers losing pride, but not heart, in the Dark Ages. And yet, in victory or defeat, I was there supporting and cheering for you. I have seen your ups and downs and I will be there wherever the road leads us.
Thank you, Blue Eagles for a classic 3-game series. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Congratulations for a well-fought game. You may not have gotten the title, but, you captured our hearts. Shall I see you next year in the finals again?
Thank you, Pido Jarencio. Instilling your never-say-die attitude to our Tigers could most probably be the reason why they achieved this feat. Thank you for bringing back the Thomasian gallery.
Thank you, Salinggawi Dance Troupe. A UST game is not complete without your presence. We appreciate your efforts to erase the Tigers' setbacks in the past. Your title run brought joy to our bleeding hearts. You are our champions as well.
Thank you, Yellow Jackets for leading the quiet Thomasians into cheering loudly for our Growling Tigers. The sound of your drums is music to my ears.
Thank you, Growling Tigers of other sports for bringing honor to our University. Without you guys, we wouldn't have achieved an unprecedented 30 general title-romp.
Thank you, yellowRanger, galileo, SUX2BU, enteng.00 and other Thomasian pexers who never lost faith. From the elimination games to the CDC and from the Final Four into the Championship series, we were all there. It's been a pleasure sharing with you our victories and defeats. I'm looking forward to next season.
Finally, thank you Thomasians. Tiger Power was very evident in the Final Four and Finals. We may have been outnumbered in Games 1 and 2, but, definitely, our voices were heard loud and clear. In Game 3, we came to cheer and to win it with no fear. And so we did.
Congratulations to all of us!
We are Thomasians, imbued with unending grace.
VIVA SANTO TOMAS
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Before I go, I'm posting a video of the final seconds of Game 3. Ignore the guy in the background. Either he's lost for words because he's rooting for UST and is pretty much caught up with emotions, or he's doing something which I don't want to know. By the way, that "Hah!" taunt while Ateneo coach Norman Black was on screen was classic! Hehehe! Enjoy!
I will try to get a better video once people post them online at YouTube.
