Instead, the Tigers found themselves in the thick of things, having bucked manpower shortage with grit and determination to string together three straight victories, including a shock 88-80 overtime win over the erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo Eagles Sunday.
Suddenly, the Tigers, who last won a UAAP crown exactly a decade ago, are back on the prowl.
The streak has firmed up UST’s Final Four bid as it grabbed solo third place with a 5-5 (win-loss) slate.
More importantly, the Tigers proved that they are a force to reckon with despite their depleted lineup.
"It’s still too early to tell," said UST manager Clarence Aytona. "But at least, we showed that we’re a team that can compete with anyone."
Credit that to coach Pido Jarencio, whose style of motivation and brand of play have turned things around for the Tigers, transforming a rag-tag crew into one fighting unit.
The Espana-based dribblers are playing sans their best men — Jemal Vizcarra, Jojo Duncil, Anthony Espiritu and Jun Cortez — who are either recovering from various injuries or ailments.
Vizcarra, UST’s main man this year, sustained a hamstring injury as early as their first game, while Duncil, the team’s leading scorer, already missed two games due to typhoid fever. — Joey Villar