Viva Santo Tomas!

VIVA SANTO TOMAS!

A Reflection for Thomasians still dealing with the Heartbreak of losing 

the UAAP  Men's Basketball (Senior Division) Season 78 Championship

by Jeremiah Antonio

Everybody counted us out even before the season started. That's not some sports cliché Thomasians say to make this season feel successful. No. That's the truth. 

Don't believe me? Check out the season previews of TV5 Sports, Rivals PH and Slam Philippines. They, along with all other sports outlets who previewed the UST Growling Tigers before season 78 of the UAAP began share the same thoughts — UST is a mediocre team with a so-so core who will struggle against the big boys. They'll be on the outside looking in. Simply put, this version of the Tigers will be forgettable.

And really, if someone pointed a gun to my head before the season started and asked me if the Tigers will make it to the Final Four, I would have said no. I would have joined the overwhelming majority and shoved dirt to their collective grave. 

Problem is… the UST Growling Tigers didn't read the memo.

They should NOT be starting the season 3-0. They should NOT be at the top of the standings after the eliminations. They should NOT be the only team to beat the fearsome FEU squad more than once. They should NOT be this good, period. 

But they believed in themselves and they fought for each other. 

They gave a hungry and redemption-seeking FEU team all they could handle. An FEU team that is bigger and deeper. We were down 10 at one point and FEU smelled blood. We could have folded and quit, and nobody would blame us. After all, FEU was clearly the better team. 

But true to our identity, we licked our wounds and came storming back. We fought until the very end. 

So is this a moral victory? Depends on who you ask. But it's a loss nonetheless and the history books will make sure we remember that we failed. Yet again… for the third time in the last 4 years, the Tigers just can't seem to get over the hump. 

Fortuna, Teng, Ferrer. King Tiger after King Tiger ended their collegiate careers without hoisting a UAAP championship trophy. The last moments of their UAAP games were spent crying and watching the other team celebrate. 

But as crazy as it sounds, I HAVE NEVER EVER FELT PROUDER TO BE A THOMASIAN.

Because we rise up in anticipation every time Kevin Ferrer shoots a 3. Because we marvel at how Ed Daquioag makes the game look so easy. Because we beat our chest with every Karim Abdul basket underneath.

And oh, when the fans of the other team laugh at a Jon Sheriff airball from the Free Throw line, we take it personally. We stand up, egg him on and celebrate a made free throw like its a buzzer-beater. 

We cheer like no other fans do. We scream our lungs out urging our boys to defend and go fight. The spirit of UST bursts out from our bodies with every hair-raising 'GO USTe!'. 

“Sobrang pinaglaban ko school ko.” Kevin Ferrer said. 

Kami din, Kev. And we'll continue fighting for UST in our own little ways. Heartbreak and all. Even without a championship. 

Viva Santo Tomas!