The Varsitarian

OUTGROWING a failed back-to-back title test, the UST Tigresses could have just easily dispatched the harrowing lessons of Season 70 as mere footnotes in its newly devised basketball workbook.

But a lesson, good or bad, enriches experience, a weapon the Peque Tan-mentored squad gamely recognizes.

And with two of the most seasoned guard-forward tandems in the UAAP still in their fold, the Tigresses are poised to overwrite a 10-4 win-loss record and a so-so third-place finish last season once they enter the UAAP hardcourt – with veteran hotshots Marichu Bacaro and Remia Buencosa in tow once more.

“Their (Buenacosa and Bacaro) tandem is crucial,” coach Peque Tan told the Varsitarian. “I’m banking on them to save the team once more.”

Bacaro, a Mythical Team member last season, led the league in scoring, averaging 17 points per game on top of 7.9 rebounds an outing while Buenacosa posted a personal best of 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Unfazed despite the exodus of old reliables Camille Viñas, Elaine Orillano, Chow Vega and Sharon Briones, UST is set to affix its gameplan on the offensive-defensive triumvirate of Buenacosa, Bacaro and the comebacking JR Gregorio who are also expected to get additional firepower from holdovers Nikki Leonardo, Gail Fermin, Mico Obrador and sophomores Paula Bombeo, Rina Laud and Mary Silva.

Joining the veterans are seven newcomers led by lanky Krizzie Gale, a recruit from New Era University who has been training for the Tigresses since high school. Other rookies include MJ de Leon, Lora Rivera, Monique Curia, Jamaica Oliva, Jean Mariz Lim and Lora dela Cruz.

Despite having a relatively bankable crew this season, Tan remains wary of the Tigresses’ perennial last-minute meltdowns, especially when pitted against more seasoned opponents like UAAP archrival Adamson University which booted UST in the finals of the 2008 Nike Summer League (see related story) via a late-game surge.

Warts and all, the Tigresses still proved to be a league favorite in Season 71, acing a couple of off-season tune-ups like the Private Schools Athletic Association, Metropolitian Basketball League and an exhibition match against the Malaysian youth team.

Asked which teams stand as clear threats to UST’s title-redemption bid, Tan said: “the FEU Lady Tamaraws and of course, the Lady Falcons.”

With all stones turned in the run-up to Season 71, Tan is confident that achieving their goal is not far from the championship shoreline. Mika Rafaela A. Barrios