2006 UST Growling Tigers men's basketball team

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The 2006 UST Growling Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Santo Tomas in the men's basketball tournament of the 69th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The Tigers defeated the Blue Eagles of the Ateneo de Manila University to win their nineteenth UAAP men's title, and their first since the 1996 season. Jervy Cruz was selected on the Mythical Five, and Jojo Duncil was named as the Most Valuable Player of the Finals.

Contents

[edit] Roster

No. Pos Name Birthplace Yr. Remarks
6 SF Dylan Ababou Leyte 2
16 SF Francis Philip Allera General Santos City 2
7 C Mark Angelo Canlas Pampanga 2
12 PG Jose "June" Cortez Pampanga 4
20 PF/C Jervy Cruz Nueva Ecija 1 Elevated from Team B
18 PG John Paul "Japs" Cuan Bicol 3
10 PF Jun Dizon Nueva Ecija 4
11 SF Joselito "Jojo" Duncil Pampanga 3
8 PF Anthony Espiritu Manila 4
21 PF Allan Evangelista (C) Quezon City 5
9 SF Mel Gile Sydney 1 High school rookie
17 C Chester Lloyd Taylor Quezon 3
14 SG Jemal Vizcarra Pampanga 5 Elevated from Team B
  • Head coach: Pido Jarencio
  • Assistant Coaches: Beaujing Acot - defensive coach
                    Senen Duenas - offensive coach
                    Emmanuel Calipes - conditioning, endurance coach
                    Julian Rabbi Tomacruz - Liaison to UST Admin; Team B trainer, statistics
                    Edwin Escobar - Weights trainer
                    Rodil "Boy" Sablan - Academic Manager
  • Team Physicians: Dr. Consuelo G. Suarez - Rehab Medicine, Sports Medicine
                  Dr. Raul B. Palma - General Team Physician,neurosports Medicine,Team Psychologist
  • Institute of nutrition, Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Interns
  • Team manager: Timmy Chiong, Clarence Aytona, Rudy Yu,

[edit] Preseason tournaments

After the expiration of head coach Nel Parado contract at the 2005 yearend, the university administration announced the hiring of former varsity and Ginebra San Miguel standout Pido Jarencio as the new head coach.[1]

The Tigers participated in one off-season tournament: the Home and Away Invitational League (HAIL), where they were eliminated in the elimination round with a 3-4 record, good for fourth place, a game behind fourth seed Ateneo.

Date Opponent Score Venue Round
Jan 27 UE Red Warriors W 81-74 UST Gym HAIL Elimination round
Feb 3 @ San Beda Red Lions L 70-74 San Beda Gym HAIL Elimination round
Feb 15 @ FEU Tamaraws L 69-83 FEU Gym HAIL Elimination round
Feb 17 @ Lyceum Pirates L 81-85 Lyceum Gym HAIL Elimination round
Feb 20 De La Salle Green Archers W 70-62 UST Gym HAIL Elimination round
Mar 1 @ EAC Generals W 90-74 EAC Gym HAIL Elimination round
Mar 5 @ Ateneo Blue Eagles L 90-97 Blue Eagle Gym HAIL Elimination round
Record after the elimination round: 3 wins-4 losses (5th, out of the playoffs)

[edit] Schedule

Due to the suspension of the De La Salle Green Archers[2], the league used a two-round, 12-game schedule, instead of the normal 14-game schedule.

Date Opponent Score Venue Round
Jul 9 UP Fighting Maroons L 92-94 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 1st round
Jul 13 Adamson Soaring Falcons Postponed Ninoy Aquino Stadium 1st round
Jul 20 FEU Tamaraws W 90-87 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 1st round
Jul 23 UE Red Warriors W 91-77 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 1st round
Jul 29 NU Bulldogs L 85-98 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 1st round
Aug 3 Adamson Soaring Falcons L 62-74 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 1st round
Aug 6 Ateneo Blue Eagles L 78-114 Araneta Coliseum 1st round
Record after the first round: 2 wins-4 losses (tied for 5th-7th)
Aug 13 UE Red Warriors L 63-74 PhilSports Arena 2nd round
Aug 19 NU Bulldogs W 75-67 PhilSports Arena 2nd round
Aug 24 FEU Tamaraws W 77-75 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 2nd round
Aug 28 Ateneo Blue Eagles W 88-80 (OT) PhilSports Arena 2nd round
Aug 31 UP Fighting Maroons L 67-70 Ninoy Aquino Stadium 2nd round
Sep 3 Adamson Soaring Falcons W 77-74 (OT) PhilSports Arena 2nd round
Record after the second round: 6 wins-6 losses (tied for 3rd-4th)
Sep 14 Adamson Soaring Falcons W 85-71 PhilSports Arena Classification
Classification round record: 1 win-0 losses (promoted to 3rd seed)
Sep 17 UE Red Warriors W 79-75 Araneta Coliseum Semifinals
Sep 21 UE Red Warriors W 82-81 Araneta Coliseum Semifinals
Semifinal round record: 2 wins-0 losses (advanced to the Finals)
Sep 24 Ateneo Blue Eagles L 72-73 Araneta Coliseum Finals
Sep 28 Ateneo Blue Eagles Postponed Araneta Coliseum Finals
Sep 30 Ateneo Blue Eagles W 87-71 Araneta Coliseum Finals
Oct 2 Ateneo Blue Eagles W 76-74 (OT) Araneta Coliseum Finals
Final round record: 2 wins-1 loss (won 18th UAAP championship)

Notes: The July 14 game was postponed due to Tropical Storm Florita, while the September 28 game was postponed due to Typhoon Milenyo.

[edit] Game summaries

[edit] First round

The Tigers were ranked at the start of the season as at the middle, with neither being held as a favorite or as a cellar-dweller.[3] Popular collegiate sports website UBelt.com placed UST to be fourth.[4]

[edit] UP Fighting Maroons

1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Maroons 23 22 21 28 94
Growling Tigers 21 22 21 28 92

A seesaw game all throughout, the Tigers were on the verge of victory when Fighting Maroon Marvin Cruz converted a jump shot at the top of the key, giving the Maroons the victory.

Rookie Jervy Cruz was the top scorer for UST with 16 points. Marvin Cruz (no relation) top scored for UP, with 25 points.

[edit] FEU Tamaraws

1 2 3 4 Total
Tamaraws 20 24 16 27 87
Growling Tigers 19 28 21 22 90

The Tigers leaned on Dylan Ababou's three-point play with 8.6 seconds remaining to pull ahead of FEU for good. Jemal Vizcarra injured his hamstring in this game, causing him to be out for the rest of the season.

Cruz and Duncil led all scorers with 25 points each. Duncil found a wide-open Ababou to cause the three-point play; the Tigers were ahead by 14 points but the Tamaraws fought back to tie at 87-all. [5]

[edit] UE Red Warriors

1 2 3 4 Total
Growling Tigers 16 31 24 20 91
Red Warriors 18 10 32 17 77

With a strong second quarter, the Tigers pulled away from season host UE as they dumped the Warriors at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Duncil and Cruz stepped up as they led a 32-10 run at the second quarter to give a comfortable cushion for the rest of the game.

Duncil scored 25 points, tying his career best. Cruz ended with a double-double of 22 points and ten rebounds.[6]

[edit] NU Bulldogs

1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 32 27 22 17 98
Growling Tigers 15 28 16 26 85

Behind a strong outside presence, the NU Bulldogs repulsed the Growling Tigers in a high-scoring game. NU's one-two punch of Jonathan Fernandez and previous season's Mythical 5 awardee Edwin Asoro finished with a combined 44 points.

The Bulldogs converted 13 three point field-goals, a season record. Duncil made matters worse for the Tigers as he head-butted Dave Catamora with 52.9 seconds remaining.[7]

[edit] Adamson Soaring Falcons

1 2 3 4 Total
Growling Tigers 21 7 17 17 62
Soaring Falcons 19 19 18 18 74

Behind Adamson's run-and-gun offense, the Falcons made a big run at the second quarter to prevent the Tigers from catching up. Kenneth Bono, Leo Canuday and Roel Hugnatan stepped up for the Falcons as they scored a combined 59 points.

Ababou top scored for the Tigers with 19 points, Cruz earned another double-double, with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Duncil served his one-game suspension while Cuan was injured.[8]

[edit] Ateneo Blue Eagles

1 2 3 4 Total
Growling Tigers 27 9 11 31 78
Blue Eagles 28 35 27 24 114

Ateneo was assured of a first place at the end of the first round of eliminations, even though they were defeated in this game. However, the Eagles and the Tigers fought a close game, with Ateneo leading by a point at the end of the first quarter.

But it all changed in the second quarter as the Eagles pounced on the Tigers defense while limiting the Tigers in offense. By halftime, the game was over with Ateneo leading 63-36. All of the starters of Ateneo ended in double-figures, with Intal sharing game-high honors with Duncil, who was back from a one-game suspension, with 24 points.

Ateneo swept the first round of eliminations with an impressive 6-0 record.[9]

[edit] Second round

The Tigers started the second round tied for last place, along with the UP Fighting Maroons, NU Bulldogs and defending champions FEU Tamaraws. The Eagles are at the top of the pack with a 6-0 record. Two games behind are the Red Warriors, followed by the Adamson.

[edit] UE Red Warriors

1 2 3 4 Total
Red Warriors 11 24 19 20 74
Growling Tigers 14 10 24 15 63

Just like in the last three games, the Tigers managed to keep at pace with the Red Warriors, but as terrible second quarter let them down again. Only nine suited up for the Tigers, though, due to injuries and other ailments.

Cruz had another double-double performance with 17 points and 15 rebounds. James Martines of UE led all scorers with 19 points.[10]

[edit] NU Bulldogs

1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 21 19 13 14 67
Growling Tigers 15 17 19 24 75

With their Final Four aspirations in dire straits, the Tigers are in a must-win situation to have a fighting chance to reach the semifinal round.

The Tigers started passively, allowing he Bulldogs to lead at halftime. But the Tigers, due to the efforts of Cruz and Cuan, catched up with the Bulldogs at the end of the third quarter. Ababou finished the business for the Tigers as they outscored NU 43-27 at the second half.

Cruz led all scorers with 18 points, and achieved his seventh double-double of the season, raking in 13 rebounds. [11]

[edit] FEU Tamaraws

1 2 3 4 Total
Tamaraws 21 18 17 19 75
Growling Tigers 22 20 20 15 77

Now tied for fourth place, the Tigers are not out of the woods yet, especially at the logjam at the middle of table with Adamson, FEU and NU all having a chance of taking the last two semifinal berths - Ateneo and UE already clinched theirs.

Anthony Espiritu stepped-up his game as he compensated to Duncil's and Cortez's absence due to injuries and ailments, chipping in a career-high and tournament-best 31 points to lead the Tigers into a season sweep of the defending champions.

The Tigers move up to third place with a 4-5 record. Jeff Chan topscored for FEU with 21 points. Cruz had another double-double, with 11 points and 11 rebounds.[12]

[edit] Classification game

[edit] Semifinals

After winning the classification game against Adamson, UST clinched the third seed, and the right to face the twice-to-beat UE Red Warriors in the semifinals.

[edit] First game

1 2 3 4 Total
Growling Tigers 18 20 14 27 79
Red Warriors 14 18 17 26 75

Possessing the twice to beat advantage, the Warriors started passively, allowing UST to take the lead early on, with UST leading by six by halftime.

After the halftime break, the game was tightly contested; however UST pulled away at the middle of the third quarter, but with UE overtaking the Tigers, at the end of the third quarter, with UE leading, 44-40. UST would then play their own version of catching up, with the Thomasians staying within striking distance. In a game of attacks and counterattacks, the Tigers unleashed a 5-0 run, leading by as much as eight points.

The Warriors wouldn't lose easily, as they did their own 8-2 run, cutting the UST lead into two points. With 21.1 seconds left, June Cortez drove hardly to the basket scoring a fieldgoal, plus a personal foul. Cortez sank his bonus freethrow as the Red Warriors failed to erase a four-point lead, giving the Tigers the win, and another game at Season 69.[13]

[edit] Second game

1 2 3 4 Total
Red Warriors 17 21 26 17 81
Growling Tigers 23 20 24 15 82

With the season on the line, the Growling Tigers and the Red Warriors faced off anew in the right to meet the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Finals; Ateneo did not need their twice-to-beat advantage as they edged out Adamson, 76-73.

Prior to the game, the Red Warriors announced the suspension of star player Bonifacio "Bonbon" Custodio due to disciplinary measures.

Just like in the first game, it was tightly contested, but unlike the first game, it wasn't a game of attacks and counter-attacks, as neither team led by double digits, although UST led for much of the way at the first half.

In the second half, UST began creating inroads to the UE defense, leading by as much as fourteen. UE struck hard at the endgame, and led by five points. With the game on the line, Jojo Duncil, converted a fieldgoal off a Jervy Cruz put-back, plus a foul. Duncil converted his bonus freethrow to setup a thrilling last 53.8 seconds, with UST on the lead 82-79.

On the inbound play after the Duncil freethrow, 2003 Rookie of the Year Marcy Arellano drove unmolested into the basket, cutting the lead into one point. Trying to seal the game, the Tigers committed a turnover, and with no timeouts on both sides, the Red Warriors sprinted onto their frontcourt. With UST's transition defense sprinting along, Jorel Canizares managed to attempt a jumpshot on the right quartercourt. The shot bounced off the rim, with Canizares getting his own rebound. He missed his shot yet again, when UE captain Rob Labagala getting the rebound as time expired.

The Thomasians go into their first UAAP men's basketball Finals since 1999. The Warriors were booted out of the semifinals yet again, the third time since the Final Four era when they acquired the twice-to-beat incentive.[14]

[edit] Finals

The Finals series between UST and Ateneo favored the Blue Eagles, as they have figured in more playoff games, and had a championship experience. UST was the underdog in the series.

It would be the first time that the Tigers and the Eagles met in a UAAP men's basketball final; the last time they've met was in the 1931 NCAA season where the Blue and White dethroned the Gold and White.

[edit] Game one

1 2 3 4 Total
Growling Tigers 15 20 22 15 72
Blue Eagles 19 16 22 16 73

With several lead changes, the ga came on to the final two possessions. With Ateneo leading by one point, 71-70, J.C. Intal of Ateneo committed a backiing violation. UST coach Pido Jarencio then called a timeout to design a play. After the timeout, Jervy Cruz had a hard time penetrating the Blue Eagle defense. He kicked out the ball to a tightly-guarded Allan Evangelista. With Doug Kramer covering him, Evangelista converted a fadeaway jumper, to put UST up, 72-71, with one second remaining.

Ateneo head coach Norman Black (a former varsity player of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia) sued for time. Devising one the plays he previously used the head coach of the professional team San Miguel Beermen, he instructed Chris Tiu to set a pick for Doug Kramer in order to free him from his defender right under the basket. Tigers coach Pido Jarencio (who used to play for Norman Black on his rookie year at Ginebra San Miguel, and was a Glowing Goldie, the Tigers previous monicker) instructed his boys to implement the man-to-man defense.

Macky Escalona inbounded the ball from the left side of center line. With Tiu setting a pick that separated Japs Cuan from defending Doug Kramer, Escalona passed the ball to the free Kramer and calmly converted his fieldgoal attempt, sending the Ateneo fans into pandemonium.[15]

[edit] Game two

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Eagles 20 18 19 14 71
Growling Tigers 21 27 17 22 87

The second game was originally scheduled for September 28, but due to Typhoon Milenyo causing a direct hit to Metro Manila by the time of the game, the UAAP Board rescheduled the second game to September 30, at the Araneta Coliseum.[16]

At the first quarter, the Tigers got off to a hot start, but Ateneo rallied. However as the quarter concluded, the Tigers hanged on to a one-point lead. The Eagles would lose steam as bad plays and turnovers ruined their offensive flow, while the Tigers began hitting outside shots and grabbing offensive rebounds to negate the Eagles' zone defense. The Eagles would remain within striking distance thanks to J.C. Intal, but without support from his teammates, Intal's one-man show was not enough as Tigers Dylan Ababou and Jojo Duncil both surpassed the twenty-point barrier, leading into an easy 16-point win.[17]

[edit] Game three

1 2 3 4 OT Total
Growling Tigers 15 16 20 13 12 76
Blue Eagles 17 20 13 14 10 74

With a tightly-contested first quarter, the Intal-Escalona connection of the Eagles threatened to pull away at the second quarter, leading by as much as ten. In the third quarter, the Tigers stormed back, keeping in touch with the Blue Eagles.

In the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, rookie sensation Jervy Cruz fouled out with 1:16 left; Evangelista, the almost-hero of Game 1, fouled out two minutes earlier. With a 64-59 Ateneo lead, Anthony Espiritu scored a three-pointer on the UST offense. Mark Canlas scored a put-back to tie the game. Intal missed a short jumper at the other end to force overtime.

With the score tied 74-all, June Cortez missed a jumper; Dylan Ababou was fouled as he grabbed the rebound. Ababou split his charities, which led to JC Intal's miss. The rebound was hotly contested, and the referee called for a jump ball; the possession arrow pointed to UST. Eric Salamat was forced to foul June Cortez, who converted his first and missed his second, which led to the Ateneo rebound with 3.6 ticks left.

Jai Reyes heaved a desperation three-pointer that missed the ring completely, causing jubilation to the golden half of the Coliseum. An estimated 20,000 packed the Araneta Coliseum, over the 17,000 recommended. The Tigers win their first championship in ten years.[18]

[edit] Summary

2006 UST Growling Tigers men's basketball team
Team 1 2 3 Wins
Ateneo Blue Eagles 73 71 74 1
UST Growling Tigers 72 87 76 2
Duration September 24 to October 2
Arena/s Araneta Coliseum
Finals MVP Jojo Duncil
TV network/s Studio 23 and TFC

[edit] Aftermath

The celebrations at the campus began at the moment of UST's victory on October 2. The main celebrations were held on October 4, started by a thanksgiving holy mass at 5 pm, celebrated by incoming Fr. Ernesto Arceo, O.P., followed by parties, a dinner, and a 10-minute fireworks display seen over much of Sampaloc, Manila.

The night was capped off by a concert (7 pm) with the Thomasian pop band Callalily, Thomasian alumna and bossa nova singer Sofia, Soapdish, and to chill and wrap up the night, the Atenean band Parokya ni Edgar and UP band Kamikazee. Heavy rains in the end, however, dampened the smooth flow of the programme.

The winning team will reportedly head to the Great Wall of China as a reward for their championship, as promised by the acting rector[19]

After the championship celebrations, PLDT, whose president is Manny Pangilinan, a known Ateneo supporter, released a radio advertisement, where the ad depicts a play-by-play basketball sequence, with the commentator outlining a UST three-point play, and at the climax, the commentator retorts, "Who cares?" which then promotes a new PLDT product. After the promotion, the commentator comes back and says, "Game over, who won?" [20]

[edit] Post-season tournaments

As semifinalists of the UAAP, the Tigers qualified for the Collegiate Champions League. With the seedings determined before their championship, they were seeded third, behind first seed Ateneo and second seed San Beda, the NCAA champion.

Date Opponent Score Venue Round
Oct 9 JRU Heavy Bombers L 63-65 UST Gym CCL Round of 16
Tournament record: 0 wins-1 loss (eliminated at the first round)
1 2 3 4 Total
Heavy Bombers 18 12 20 15 65
Growling Tigers 24 15 22 2 63

The Tigers' round of 16 assignment was against the JRU Heavy Bombers, which finished tied for sixth in NCAA Season 82. The Tigers practically led for much of the game when June Dizon and Mel Gile were ejected at the second quarter. The Tigers regained their composure but the Heavy Bombers cut the lead, culminating two freethrows by Heavy Bomber Mark Cagoco with 1:56 left at the second quarter, giving JRU the lead, 65-63. The teams never scored again as the UAAP champions were eliminated from the tournament.[21]

The Tigers are participated in the 2006-07 Philippine Basketball League Silver Cup as the Kettle Corn Pop Kings. Kettle Corn is a popcorn snack sold by the RFM Corporation. The members of team also includes non-Thomasians. The Pop Kings finished last in the classification round, and was eliminated by Magnolia Ice Cream Spinners (with most players coming from NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions) 133-128 in triple overtime at the first round of the playoffs.

[edit] Awards

  • Men's basketball champions: UAAP Season 69
  • Mythical Five: Jervy Cruz
  • Finals Most Valuable Player: Jojo Duncil

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jarencio taking over as UST coach INQ7.net. Accessed October 5, 2006.
  2. ^ UAAP slaps 1-year ban on De La Salle INQ7.net. Accessed October 5, 2006.
  3. ^ New coaches, players reshape teams Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  4. ^ The Athletic Mind: Team-by-Team Preview (Part 4) UBelt.com. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  5. ^ Eagles soar on Tiu’s trey; Tigers edge Tamaraws Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  6. ^ Tigers disarm Warriors Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  7. ^ Bulldogs devour UST Tigers Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  8. ^ Falcons outrun, outgun Tigers Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  9. ^ Eagles have landed, skin Tigers alive Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  10. ^ Bulldogs bark, bite, bludgeon Maroons Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  11. ^ Chasing Tigers overrun Bulldogs Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  12. ^ Warriors book second seat in Final Four Philippine Star. Accessed October 6, 2006.
  13. ^ Tigers Force Rubber Match Against Warriors UBelt.com
  14. ^ Tigers oust Warriors, seal duel with Eagles INQ7.net. Accessed September 27, 2006
  15. ^ Last-gasp Kramer shot lifts Eagles: Ateneo snatches Finals’ Game 1 over UST INQ7.net. Accessed September 27, 2006
  16. ^ UAAP championship on Saturday INQ7.net. Accessed September 30, 2006
  17. ^ Tigers maul Eagles, forge rubber match; Deciding Game 3 set tomorrow INQ7.net. Accessed October 1, 2006.
  18. ^ UST Tigers grab 19th UAAP title in overtime INQ7.net. Accessed October 3, 2006.
  19. ^ UST Tigers hailed campus superstars The Philippine Star. Accessed October 5, 2006.
  20. ^ Rene Martel (26). PLDT mocks UST triumph (English). The Manila Times. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
  21. ^ Tigers bomb bid in Champs League The Philippine Star. Accessed October 11, 2006.



Academics

Ecclesiastical: Sacred Theology - Philosophy - Canon Law • Civil Law • Medicine & Surgery • Pharmacy • Arts & Letters • Engineering • Education • Science • Architecture • Commerce • Music • Nursing • Rehabilitation Sciences • Fine Arts & Design • Accountancy • Graduate School • High School • Education High School • Physical Education & Athletics • Technological Courses • Religion • Tourism and Hospitality Management • Reserve Officers' Training Corps Unit

Athletics

UAAP • Growling Tigers - 2006 men's team • Salinggawi Dance Troupe • Yellow Jackets • Shakey's V-League

Campus

Arch of the Centuries • Central Library • España Boulevard • Benavides Park • Museum of Arts and Sciences • Beato Angelico Art Gallery • University Medical Museum • UST-Botanical Garden • Quadricentennial Park

Student life

The Varsitarian • Aegis Juris • Alpha Kappa Rho • Alpha Phi Omega • Gamma Epsilon • Regina Legis et Juris • UST Symphony Orchestra

Miscellaneous

List of University of Santo Tomas people • University of Santo Tomas Hospital • University of Santo Tomas Publishing House
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