Coming off a 6-36 win-loss record from their last three UAAP campaigns, the UST Growling Tigers have their eyes set on new prey this season.

Since the conclusion of Season 85, the University of Santo Tomas basketball program has been trying to relive the golden days, from acquiring the best sponsors and seasoned coaches, to snagging the top cagers from in and out of the country.

Aside from mainstays from last season including captain Nic Cabañero, Christian Manaytay, Angelo Crisostomo, Echo Laure, Miguel Pangilinan, Mark Llemit, and Ivan Calum; a new batch of Tigers will be entering the court, having completed their residency.

FAST AND THE FURIOUS

Two of the most skilled point guards in the UAAP will be manning the backcourt of the Growling Tigers next season.

Forthsky Padrigao, the six-foot floor general, stood out in UAAP Season 85, earning a place on the Mythical Five and finishing as a runner-up in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race. During his final season with Ateneo, he averaged 11.6 points, 4.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.

Kyle Paranada, standing at five-foot-nine, played a pivotal role for the UE Red Warriors in Season 85. Over 23 minutes of play per game, he averaged 11.64 points, 4.21 assists, 2.86 rebounds, and 1.64 steals.

In UST’s preseason tournaments, both players showed they can trigger from downtown in crunch time and displayed tremendous high IQ plays that the Tigers lacked in previous seasons.

DOUBLE DIGIT MACHINES

UST also bolstered its roster with several gunners who have all completed their residency requirements.

Isaac Danting, a six-foot-three forward who was originally set to debut with Ateneo, joined the Growling Tigers and immediately proved to have ice in his veins, reliably shooting from rainbow territory.

Leland Estacio, a six-foot-two Fil-Am guard, shone in the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup Season 2, where he was crowned tournament MVP. Estacio averaged 14.12 points, 4.62 rebounds, and 2.75 assists throughout the tournament.

Alongside the sharpshooters who can play on the two spot, the Tigers also netted more explosive forwards in their roster including Geremy Robinson Jr., a six-foot-two slasher formerly from DLSU, and one-and-done Chase Lane, six-foot-four, 24-year-old former standout from US NCAA Division 1 school Tarleton State.

UST made a significant upgrade to its frontcourt, tapping Mo Tounkara, a six-foot-seven bigman from Mali, as this season’s new foreign-student athlete.

HIDDEN GEMS

Following a challenging Season 86, the Growling Tigers have successfully signed two blue-chip rookies for the new season.

Zayn Mahmood, a six-foot-six standout from the Gilas Youth program, can be expected to be a presence in the paint for UST. Mahmood, who showcased his talents during the 2022 FIBA U18 Asian Championship, averaged 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Amiel Acido, a six-foot-three swingman, has also joined UST. Acido, who earned the Mythical Five honors and was named the NCAA Juniors MVP from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, averaged impressive statistics of 17.67 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.11 assists after the elimination round.

NEW DAWN OF PUSO, PRIDE, PALABAN

After the lackluster results of Season 86, the Growling Tigers picked themselves up and made an impressive third place finish in the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup in March, notably breaking a nine-year losing streak against the DLSU Green Archers and defeating NCAA powerhouses San Beda and Letran.

In their Filoil EcoOil stint, UST returned to the winning column with victories over NU and Ateneo, and narrowly lost to both DLSU, UP, and UE, finishing fifth. After the valiant run, many critics believed that the Growling Tigers could secure a final four spot.

Besides their Pinoyliga Cup and the Filoil EcoOil tourneys, the Growling Tigers also participated in scrimmages in Ormoc, and underwent a two-week training camp in Korea, where they faced KBL teams as part of their extensive preparations.

The Tigers saw several key players depart. SJ Moore transferred to Benilde; Ivan Lazarte returned to Mapua; brothers Kenjie Duremdes and Kylle Magdangal, moved to Perpetual; and Paul Manalang and JJ Gesalem turned professional, joining the Manila Stars and Quezon City Toda Aksyon, respectively, in the MPBL.

But while it’s still too early to make definitive predictions, the revamped roster will face tough challenges to reach the top as they will contend against ‘stronger and better’ squads such as the defending champs De La Salle Archers led by Kevin Quiambao; the stacked Fighting Maroons; and archrivals FEU under Coach Sean Chambers.

The last appearance of the España-based squad in the final four was in Season 82, five years ago.

UAAP Season 87 is slated to get underway on Sept. 7, with the Growling Tigers' taking on the UE Red Warriors the following day at the Araneta Coliseum.-Kurt Andre Trinidad