The University of Santo Tomas was the top team last season, finishing the elimination round with an 11-3 record and sweeping the FEU Tamaraws in the elimination to take the top spot to face then defending champions NU Bulldogs in the semis.
In the semis the Growling Tigers dethroned the NU easily to take the first seat in the finals, with this everybody thought UST could win the season with Kevin Ferrer, Karim Abdul, and Ed Daquioag leading the Tigers in every game, Daquioag and Ferrer were also part of the Mythical Five selection and winning individual awards.
In the finals the Growling Tigers were tamed by the FEU Tamaraws in the first game, but UST didn't gave up that easy, they wanted to repeat what happened to FEU in the finals of season 77 as they defeat them in the game two of the finals, but in the third game the Growling Tigers just couldn't contain the Tamaraws will to win their long overdue championship title.
Coming this season the Growling Tigers losses their three key players Ed Daquioag, Karim Abdul, and Kevin Ferrer, these three are the main contributors in every victory of the Tigers last season, and now entering the season UST is left with Louie Vigil, Jamil Sheriff, and Kent Lao ready to step up their game to bring the glory back to Espanya.
Along with the three seniors are set of young players forming the line up of UST this season like Mario Bonleon, Zachary Huang, and also rookies like fil-jap Tsutamu Tateishi and new foreign reinforcement William Afoakwah. UST also bids goodbye to their two time head coach Bong Dela Cruz after getting involved in an issue a few months ago, he is replaced by Coach Boy Sablan,
With a little time to prepare can the University of Santo Tomas enter the battle grounds of season 79 ready? Or will the fear of missing out the final four prevail?. The Growling Tigers will face the Blue Eagles in their opening match this September 4, 4pm, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
____________Name: Kent Jefferson Lao
Age: 22
Height: 6'3
1. What are your expectations in coming UAAP season
I expect it to be very exciting and competitive. I expect every team will play their hearts out2. Being one of the Seniors in UST, what do you think will be your biggest contributions in the team?
My leadership and my experience of the game. I'll set good examples to my teammates and i will always play my best every game
3. How would you rate UST this season? 10 highest- 1 lowest?.
10 because we'll give our very very best
4. What do you think is the strengths and weaknesses of UST this season?
Our strength is in each member of the team. Everyone wants to prove something this season. Our weakness is when we can't handle the pressure of the game.5. What preparations you've done so far for season 79?
We've gone through summer practices. I evaluated myself and i did my best to improve my weaknesses. I did extra works during the off season.6.UST has a new coach, how was the transition? How did you adapt to the new program?
At first it's difficult for us because it's a new system but eventually we got used to it. And besides coach is not new to us. He was our asst coach before when coach pido was still the head coach of the tigers7. What motivates you/Who inspires you to play basketball?
My family8. One word to describe ust this UAAP Season 79?
Hungry
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