UST’s Mark Llemit and Collins Akowe. UAAP Media
MANILA — After winning two of its first three matches, momentum-seeking University of Santo Tomas hopes to continue its winning ways and maintain its position atop the crowded UAAP collegiate men's basketball standings.
For coach Pido Jarencio, he knows there is still plenty of work to be done to achieve their Season 89 goals.
“Basta kami every game, getting better at the same time, ‘yung goal namin is to be in the Final Four, ‘yun muna. ‘Yung twice-to-beat, malayo pa ‘yun, start pa lang ng season. Basta kami getting better every game. Improving sa practice tapos lahat ng details, scouting ng kalaban, ‘yung system maging consistent, ’yon lang naman eh," Jarencio said.
READ: UAAP: Llemit shines as UST holds off UE scare for second straight win
UST takes on Adamson University, a team it failed to beat in last year's eliminations, at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
National University and Ateneo, two teams also bunched in the five-way logjam at 2-1, clash in the 5:30 p.m. main game.
University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University, which are also part of the big group of teams atop the standings, face off at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Pasig venue.
The Growling Tigers, who won their 18th and most recent championship exactly 20 years ago on Friday, have been solid behind Nigerian Collins Akowe, Mark Llemit, and Amiel Acido.
READ: UAAP: Roberts, Bahay power Ateneo past Adamson for bounce-back win
Playing without injured center Gelo Crisostomo was a challenge during UST's 98-87 conquest of University of the East last Wednesday, but Llemit knows everyone needs to step up and play as one to sustain their winning run.
"Lahat naman kami kailangan talaga mag-step up. Ginagawa ko lang din ‘yung best ko and ‘yun na nga, si Gelo kasi sobrang malaking bagay sa amin ‘yun. So, nag-uusap kaming lahat na parang kailangan namin mag-step up and thankful naman ako na nakuha namin ‘yung win," Llemit said.
The Growling Tigers also hope rookie Koji Buenaflor, who suited up for the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team that placed fourth in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games, can get back into the groove as they await Crisostomo's return.
READ: UAAP: National U posts second straight win, hands UP first loss
"Medyo nahirapan din ako this game kasi sa 3x3 dapat aggressive ka. Nag-reflect sa game na ‘to na sobra na akong aggressive to the point na nagko-commit na ako ng turnovers. Balik practice ulit, balik sa dating gawi, para makuha ko ulit ‘yong style ko pag naglalaro ng five-on-five,” Buenaflor said.
The Falcons, who own a 1-1 record, are coming off an 88-93 loss to the Blue Eagles last Sept. 26.
Ateneo captain Jared Bahay is taking responsibility for leading the squad, a role he has been preparing himself for.
"Coach Louie [Alas] told us that he really trusts the guards, sobrang tiwala niya sa guards. Sabi niya na kami ang mag-takeover sa team kasi siyempre ‘di naman siya ‘yung maglalaro," Bahay said.
"So, I took it seriously lang lang ‘yung sinabi ni Coach Louie at naging accountable ako sa team namin. I always remind them na sundin lang ang sistema ni Coach Louie and play all your best, especially sa defense namin," he added.
After ending a two-year losing skid against the Fighting Maroons, the Bulldogs are now turning their attention to what lies ahead: the Blue Eagles.
READ: UAAP: Pagdulagan makes triumphant return as NU routs Adamson
"Ang importante ang nahaharap. Ang importante, we are a young team, we’re performing. Masaya ako nagpapakita kami sa fans, dito sa community namin na pinapakita namin ang kakayahan namin. Yung losing streak, tapos na ‘yun. Napaglipasan na ‘yun," coach Jeff Napa said after NU's 72-64 win over UP.
"From last year, we learned from it, kaya tinuturuan namin ang bata ngayon kung ano ‘yung kailangang gawin, kung ano ‘yung lesson from the previous season … We are trying our best to guide our team para mag-perform sila nang tama," he added.
In the women's division, defending champion UST seeks a second straight win as it tangles with Adamson at 10 a.m., while NU's journey to redemption continues against an Ateneo side trying to pick up the pieces after its season-opening loss to UP at 12 noon.